HB1591 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 04869 AWJ 49878 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB1591

Introduced , by Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

30 ILCS 740/2-15.2
70 ILCS 3605/51
70 ILCS 3610/8.6
70 ILCS 3615/3A.15
70 ILCS 3615/3B.14

Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides for free fares for veterans with disabilities, reduced fares for other veterans, and free fares for specified high school students on days when school is in session on public transportation. Provides for a continuing appropriation beginning in Fiscal Year 2020 to cover the free and reduced fares. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Downstate Public Transportation Act is amended by changing Section 2-15.2 as follows:

(30 ILCS 740/2-15.2)

Sec. 2-15.2. Free and reduced services; eligibility.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, every participant, as defined in Section 2-2.02 (1)(a), shall be provided without charge to all senior citizen residents of the participant aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the participant.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, every participant, as defined in Section 2-2.02 (1)(a), shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the participant. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the participant from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, a participant shall be provided (i) without charge to a veteran that has a combined disability rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare for a veteran who has a combined disability rating of 30% to 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, under conditions prescribed by each participant.

(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, a participant shall be provided without charge to high school students that are eligible for free or reduced price meals and free milk under the federal National School Lunch Program or the Commodity School Program on days when school is in session.

(e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on December 31st of each year thereafter, each participant shall certify to the State Comptroller the annual amount necessary for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby appropriated, on an irrevocable and continuing annual basis, from the Road Fund amounts equal to the amount certified each year by each participant for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). The moneys appropriated under this subsection (e) shall be paid to each participant in an amount equal to the participant's certification for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 10. The Metropolitan Transit Authority Act is amended by changing Section 51 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3605/51)

Sec. 51. Free and reduced services; eligibility.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region (as such term is defined in 70 ILCS 3615/1.03) aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Board from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided (i) without charge to a veteran that has a combined disability rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare for a veteran who has a combined disability rating of 30% to 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, under conditions prescribed by the Board.

(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided without charge to high school students that are eligible for free or reduced price meals and free milk under the federal National School Lunch Program or the Commodity School Program on days when school is in session.

(e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on December 31st of each year thereafter, the Board shall certify to the State Comptroller the annual amount necessary for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby appropriated, on an irrevocable and continuing annual basis, from the Road Fund an amount equal to the amount certified each year by the Board for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). The moneys appropriated under this subsection (e) shall be paid to the Board in an amount equal to the Board's certification for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 15. The Local Mass Transit District Act is amended by changing Section 8.6 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3610/8.6)

Sec. 8.6. Free and reduced services; eligibility.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, every District shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the District aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the District.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, every District shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the District. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the District from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, every District shall be provided (i) without charge to a veteran that has a combined disability rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare for a veteran who has a combined disability rating of 30% to 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, under conditions prescribed by each District.

(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of device contracts of, each District shall be provided without charge to high school students that are eligible for free or reduced price meals and free milk under the federal National School Lunch Program or the Commodity School Program on days when school is in session.

(e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on December 31st of each year thereafter, each District shall certify to the State Comptroller the annual amount necessary for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby appropriated, on an irrevocable and continuing annual basis, from the Road Fund amounts equal to the amount certified each year by each District for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). The moneys appropriated under this subsection (e) shall be paid to each District in an amount equal to the District's certification for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 20. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is amended by changing Sections 3A.15 and 3B.14 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.15)

Sec. 3A.15. Free and reduced services; eligibility.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Suburban Bus Board from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided (i) without charge to a veteran that has a combined disability rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare for a veteran who has a combined disability rating of 30% to 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, under conditions prescribed by the Suburban Bus Board.

(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Suburban Bus Board shall be provided without charge to high school students that are eligible for free or reduced price meals and free milk under the federal National School Lunch Program or the Commodity School Program on days when school is in session.

(e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on December 31st of each year thereafter, the Suburban Bus Board shall certify to the State Comptroller the annual amount necessary for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby appropriated, on an irrevocable and continuing annual basis, from the Road Fund an amount equal to the amount certified each year by the Suburban Bus Board for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). The moneys appropriated under this subsection (e) shall be paid to the Suburban Bus Board in an amount equal to the Suburban Bus Board's certification for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(70 ILCS 3615/3B.14)

Sec. 3B.14. Free and reduced services; eligibility.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Commuter Rail Board.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of Section 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Commuter Rail Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Commuter Rail Board from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided (i) without charge to a veteran that has a combined disability rating of more than 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) at a 50% reduced fare for a veteran who has a combined disability rating of 30% to 70% as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, under conditions prescribed by the Commuter Rail Board.

(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on and after January 1, 2020, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided without charge to high school students that are eligible for free or reduced price meals and free milk under the federal National School Lunch Program or the Commodity School Program on days when school is in session.

(e) On the first December 31st after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and on December 31st of each year thereafter, the Commuter Rail Board shall certify to the State Comptroller the annual amount necessary for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, there is hereby appropriated, on an irrevocable and continuing annual basis, from the Road Fund an amount equal to the amount certified each year by the Commuter Rail Board for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d). The moneys appropriated under this subsection (e) shall be paid to the Commuter Rail Board in an amount equal to the Commuter Rail Board's certification for payment of expenses related to subsections (c) and (d).

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.