AL HB158

Establishes the United We Ride Commission within the Department of Senior Services to coordinate human service transportation for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and lower-income individuals.

Commission membership includes 15 positions: 10 state agency heads or designees (Senior Services, Health, Education, Medicaid, Human Resources, Mental Health, Rehabilitation, Transportation, Economic Affairs, and Faith-Based Initiatives), one House member appointed by the Speaker, one Senate member appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, one consumer appointed by the Governor, one Governor's office representative, and one at-large member.

Commissioner of Senior Services serves as chair and assigns staff to handle administrative duties including keeping minutes and issuing annual reports.

Commission duties include developing an educational plan for coordinated transportation, reducing restrictive and duplicative laws and regulations, examining cost-effective coordination strategies, meeting at least four times annually, and submitting an annual report to the Governor in November.

All cabinet-level agencies must cooperate with the commission and provide necessary information; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.