An Act amending the Kansas coordinated transit districts act; amending K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 75-5052, 75-5053, 75-5054 and 75-5056 and repealing the existing sections.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

Section 1. K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 75-5052 is hereby amended to read as follows: 75-5052. The purpose of the act is to authorize the department to establish coordinated transit districts to enhance coordination and man- agement of state and federal passenger transportation funds. The estab- lished coordinated transit districts shall be the designated recipients of funds distributed for operation of transit services from section 18, section 16(b)(2) 49 U.S.C. (section) 5310 (previously section 16), 49 U.S.C. (section) 5311 (pre- viously section 18), or state funds designated for rural public and spe- cialized transportation services. Establishment of coordinated transit dis- tricts is not intended to create an employment relationship between coordinated transit districts or individual transportation service providers and the state of Kansas.

Sec. 2. K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 75-5053 is hereby amended to read as follows: 75-5053. When used in this act:

(a) ``Transportation'' means the movement of individuals in a four or more-wheeled motorized vehicle designed to carry passengers. Trans- portation does not include emergency or school transportation.

(b) ``Nonurbanized area'' designates any city or county with a popu- lation of less than 50,000 population.

(c) ``Rural transportation system'' means all public and private trans- portation agencies which provide transportation services in nonurbanized portions of the state and which receive federal support through section 18, section 16 49 U.S.C. (section) 5310, 49 U.S.C. (section) 5311 from the United States department of transportation, federal transit administration, or from the Kansas elderly and disabled coordinated public transportation assistance fund act, or from both.

(d) ``Specialized transportation system'' means all public and private transportation agencies which provide transportation services to elderly or disabled passengers and which receive federal support through section 16 49 U.S.C. (section) 5310 from the United States department of transportation, federal transit administration, or the Kansas elderly and disabled coor- dinated public transportation assistance fund act, or from both.

(e) ``Coordinated transit district'' means a public or private not-for- profit agency with an established purpose to distribute funds and monitor implementation of passenger transportation services in a designated area of the state.

(f) ``Administrator'' means the agency selected to receive funds from the department for provision of transportation services in the designated area.

(g) ``Elderly'' means those persons 60 years of age or older.

(h) ``Disabled'' means those persons determined by the department of transportation to be disadvantaged in terms of the transportation serv- ices available to them due to physical or mental disability.

(i) ``Coordination'' means where programmatically feasible, all enti- ties involved in administrating or providing transportation and related services to the elderly, disabled and general public will work together in a smooth, concerted effort to effectively use resources and alleviate du- plication of services.

(j) ``Department'' means the Kansas department of transportation.

(k) ``Secretary'' means the secretary of the department of transpor- tation.

Sec. 3. K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 75-5054 is hereby amended to read as follows: 75-5054. The department is authorized to establish coordinated transit districts in the state. Responsibilities of the coordinated transit districts shall include:

(a) Contracting with the department for receipt of funds which will enhance transportation coordination in the district service area;

(b) provision of transportation services or subcontracting with eligible agencies for provision of transportation; and

(c) monitoring the provision of transportation services in the district to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regula- tions.

Sec. 4. K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 75-5056 is hereby amended to read as follows: 75-5056. (a) The secretary shall establish coordinated transit dis- tricts for the purpose of providing financial and administrative assistance to transportation systems.

(b) The secretary shall determine the eligibility of each agency to serve as coordinated transit district administrator. The following criteria shall be used in determining eligibility:

(1) Whether the proposal serves the transportation needs of the eld- erly, disabled and general public citizens of the proposed service area district;

(2) whether resources for transportation services are utilized in an effective and efficient manner; and

(3) whether the proposal is consistent with the statewide coordinated transit district plan.

(c) The secretary shall administer and allocate funds to qualified co- ordinated transit district administrators, consistent with the statewide co- ordinated transit district plan.

Sec. 5. K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 75-5052, 75-5053, 75-5054 and 75-5056 are hereby repealed.

Sec. 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the statute book.

Approved April 3, 1996.