Bill > HB588

This bill modifies the governance and composition of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in Louisiana, making several key changes. The bill adjusts the board of commissioners by changing how members are appointed, including rotating appointments from specific House and Senate districts and allowing parish chief executive officers to appoint members if a parish opts out. It establishes new requirements for board member qualifications, mandating that commissioners complete at least two hours of transit-specific training and setting minimum expertise standards. The bill modifies meeting requirements, specifying that the board must hold at least ten meetings per year and establishing quorum rules. The advisory board composition is also updated, adding representatives from different labor unions and educational institutions while removing some previous appointment categories. The bill eliminates several previous powers of the authority, such as the ability to investigate or penalize internal issues, but maintains its legal status as a unique entity. Additionally, the bill provides new provisions for auditing, allowing cities or parishes to request internal audits or hire third-party auditors at their own expense, with the RTA required to provide records expeditiously. These changes aim to improve the governance, transparency, and operational effectiveness of the Regional Transit Authority.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=HB588&sbi=y