Legislative Update Legislative and Strategic Planning Committee December 9, 2019
Tallahassee Update Critical Safety Upgrades to Radio Communications Appropriation Request • Sponsors: • Sen. Cruz, SB 1151 • Rep. Toledo, HB 2601 • Request: $600,000 • An upgraded radio communication system will allow HART to send requests securely between agencies, manage operations, coordinate planned event safety and security, respond to incidents, and share the information needed to keep the communities HART serves safe. 2
Tallahassee Update Uniformed Public Servant Protection Act • Sponsors: • Sen. Perry • Rep. Beltran • HART proposed a language amendment to FS 784.07 to increase the penalty for assault from a misdemeanor in the first degree to a third degree felony. 3
Tallahassee Update Public Transit Worker Protection Act (This bill will be folding in with the Uniformed Public Servant Protection Act) • Sponsors: • Sen. Perry • Rep. Beltran • HART is proposing language to create section FS 341.0611, under the Transit Safety Standards; Inspections and System Safety Reviews which creates authorization for amending FDOT’s Rule 14-90 Florida Administrative Code; Equipment and Operational Safety Standards for Bus Transit Systems. • Requiring posted notification of enhanced penalties on all public transit vehicles; • Requiring the use of assault mitigation barriers and technology on buses; • Requiring de-escalation training for public transit operators 4
Tallahassee Update HART already adheres to these standards and has been communicating with agencies across the state to garner support. On October 11, 2019, HART released the second phase our ‘Ride with Respect’ Campaign: the onboard messages that reinforce security rules and riding etiquette. HART placed decals on the bus shields reinforcing the message to the public that it is against the law to threaten or assault Transit Operators. 149 Shields of 180 total fleet (82%) have barriers installed All HART Operators have received De-escalation & Situational Awareness Training. Signs and Symptoms of Mental illness training opportunity will be added in 2020. 5
Tallahassee Update Travel to Tallahassee: November 12 -13 (Holland & Knight) Sen. Keith Perry (R), 8 th District – North Central Florida, Chair Criminal Justice Committee Sen. Darryl Rouson (D), 19 th District – Hillsborough/Pinellas, Appropriations Committee on Criminal & Civil Justice Sen. Janet Cruz (D), 18 th District – Hillsborough, Delegation Member Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D), 63 rd District – Hillsborough, Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee Rep. Clay Yarborough, (R), 12 th District – Duval, Chair Justice Appropriations Subcommittee Rep. Dianne Hart, (D), 31 st District – Hillsborough, Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee Rep. Jackie Toledo, (R), 60 th District – Hillsborough, Delegation Member Rep. Wengay Newton (D), 70 th District – Pinellas/Hillsborough, Delegation Member Sen. Jeff Brandes (R), 24 th District – Pinellas, Chair Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Office of Rep. Hattersley (D), 59 th District – Hillsborough, Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee In addition we met with staff from: Senate Criminal Justice Committee Senate Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations House Justice Appropriations House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations House Criminal Justice Committee Legislative Affairs FDOT Governor’s Office Transportation & Economic Development 6
Grants Awarded Demand for FTA's Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program far exceeded available funds, as FTA received applications for 318 eligible projects totaling approximately $1.9 billion in funding requests, from a total of 270 applicants in 43 states and territories. Only 94 projects received grant funding, and HART is one of two awarded in the state of Florida. $4.3M by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Buses and Bus Facilities Program to replace diesel buses with new Compressed Natural Gas buses. • HART requested $21,060,000 of the FTA’s Bus and Bus Facilities Section 5339 funds to replace 39 diesel buses with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. • Based on awarded amount the project will be scaled back to address the most critical fleet needs which is the replacement of high mileage buses (697,100 miles to 708,673 miles). 7
Grants Filed Request for Information (RFI) filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Volkswagen Mitigation Plan • HART submitted a mitigation plan for the replacement of 69 Diesel buses Pending Human Trafficking Awareness & Public Safety Initiative • HART requested $100,000 Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) Grant • HART submitted in coalition with Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), Rideshares, PSTA and other entities. 8
Grants Current Opportunity FTA Mobility For All Pilot Program • A $3.5 million initiative to fund projects that that enhance transportation, connections to jobs, education, and health services. • Staff attended a webinar on December 3 and will make a determination as to the feasibility to apply for this grant based on the grant’s parameters and HART’s current capacity. • Applications due January 6. 9
Grants Upcoming Grant Opportunities in 2020 US Department of Transportation (USDOT), Complete Trip Deployment Solicitation • Expected in January 2020 • Up to $40 million available to enable communities to showcase innovative business partnerships, technologies, and practices that promote independent mobility for all. • “Complete Trip” means that a user can get from point A to point B seamlessly, regardless of the number of modes, transfers, and connections. 10
Grants Upcoming Grant Opportunities in 2020 FTA Low or No Emission Vehicle Program - 5339(c) • Expected around March 2020 • Provides funding for the purchase or lease of zero- emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. US DOT Build Grant • Expected around April 2020 • Grants are for investments in surface transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation. 11
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