HB 131 Summary

• Establishes the Alaska Community and Public Transportation Advisory Board within the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities with 13 members including state commissioners, designees, and appointed representatives from transportation providers and the public.

• Board members serve staggered three-year terms; governor appoints non-commissioner members and must fill vacancies within 60 days; board meets at least three times annually with at least one in-person meeting required.

• Board duties include preparing a strategic plan with mission and performance goals, analyzing transportation services for cost savings, reviewing funding sources, establishing volunteer regional advisory committees, and analyzing alternative fuel use.

• Commissioner shall prepare and update a comprehensive long-range community and public transportation plan (initially in consultation with the advisory board until January 1, 2017).

• Advisory board provisions sunset December 31, 2016, unless extended by legislature; most provisions take effect immediately while consultation requirement expires January 1, 2017.