TITLE 1: GOVERNMENT
DIVISION 2: EXECUTIVE BRANCH
§ 20161. Establishment of the Office of Transit Authority. (a) There is established within the Office of the Governor, a Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority. (b) The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority shall be administered by a Special Assistant for Public Transportation who shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. (1) The Special Assistant may adopt rules and regulations as necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority. (c) In the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, there shall be a Commonwealth Public Transportation Advisory Board to be chaired by the board member voted on by a majority vote of the members of the board and shall be comprised of the Special Assistant for Public Transportation, Secretary of the Department of Public Works, a representative from the Public School System, a representative of the Mayor of the First and Second Senatorial District and a representative from the business community. (1) The Commonwealth Public Transportation Advisory Board consisting of six voting members and shall have at least one female member and one member who is of Carolinian descent. Source: PL 17-43 § 2 (May 27, 2011); subsection (b)(1) added by PL 18-50 § 2 (June 13, 2014); subsection (c) amended and (c)(1) added by PL 18-51 § 2 (June 13, 2014), modified. Commission Comment: The Commission struck the figure “1” from subsection (c)(1) pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(e). Public Law 17-43 was enacted on May 27, 2011 to address the lack of a comprehensive accessible transportation system and to access Federal Transit Administration grants. PL 17-43 § 1. PL 18-50 (June 13, 2014) contained, in addition to savings and severability clauses, the following Findings and Purpose section: Section 1. Findings and Purpose. The Legislature created the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA) to administer federal grants from the Federal Transit Administration. COTA’s primary duties are to assess the transportation needs of the Commonwealth and to develop a public transportation system. Under the current law, COTA does not have the authority to adopt rules and regulations. The Legislature finds that COTA should have the authority to adopt rules and regulations to carry out its duties. PL 18-51 (June 13, 2014) contained, in addition to savings and severability clauses, the following Findings and Purpose section: Section 1. Findings and Purpose. The Legislature created the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA) to administer federal
TITLE 1: GOVERNMENT
DIVISION 2: EXECUTIVE BRANCH grants from the Federal Transit Administration. COTA’s primary duties are to assess the transportation needs of the Commonwealth and to develop a public transportation system. Under the current law, COTA has a total of eleven (11) Commonwealth Public Transportation Advisory Board members. The Legislature finds that COTA board members should be reduced to allow for a more streamlined and efficient discussion and decision making. The Legislature further finds that the reduction in the number of board members enables a more focused strategic planning while still representing the community.