The Commission proposes the amendment to update the rule language regarding the grants program.

 

COMMISSION FOR THE TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

41-2.014Grants Program

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Commission proposes the amendment to update the rule language regarding the grants program.

SUMMARY: To update the rule language regarding the grants program.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 427.013(9), 427.013(10) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 427.013, 427.0159, 427.016 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: David Darm, Executive Director, Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, 605 Suwannee Street, MS-49, Tallahassee, Florida 32399; [phone], or by email, [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

41-2.014 Grants Program.

(1) No Change.

(2) Types of Grants.

(a) through (b) No Change.

(c) InnovativeInnovation and Service Development Related. InnovativeInnovation and service development related grant funds shall be used to provide competitive grants to Community Transportation Coordinators for innovative service delivery that is cost efficient for the program and time efficient for the users. Grants may be for projects in which a Community Transportation Coordinator works with a non-traditional service provider, such as a transportation network company or other entity, that provides door-to-door, on-demand, or scheduled transportation services. A Community Transportation Coordinator shall not receive more than one award for a designated service area, as defined in Rule 41-2.002(4), F.A.C. A project may receive a maximum award of $750,000. Multiple designated service areas may partner for a grant of up to $1,500,000 provided that the project includes a goal of providing regional mobility in addition to any other goals. All funds shall be used to provide direct services to transportation disadvantaged clients. Projects should address at least one of the following program objectivesmay be awarded competitively to support projects that:

1. Increase a transportation disadvantaged person’s access to health care, employment, education, shopping, social activities, or other life-sustaining activitiesEnhance the access of older adults, persons with disabilities, and low income individuals to healthcare, shopping, education, employment, public services, and recreation;

2. Enhance regional connectivity and cross-county mobility; or,Assist in the development, improvement, and use of transportation systems in non-urbanized areas;

3. Reduce the difficulty in connecting transportation disadvantaged persons to a transportation hub and from the hub to their final destination.Promote the efficient coordination of services;

4. Encourage private transportation provider participation.

(3) Match Requirement. Eligible grant recipients for the trip and equipment grants and the innovative service development grants only, must provide at least 10% of the total project cost as a local match. The match must be cash generated from local sources. Voluntary dollar collections do not require a match.

(4) Distribution of Grant Funds. Each year, the Commission shall allocate a portion identified as the Grants Program of the Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund in the following manner:

(a) through (b) No Change.

(c)  Innovative Service Development related grant funds will be awarded competitively to support such projects based upon available funding identified by the Commission.

(c) renumbered (d) No Change.

(5) through (6) No Change.

(7) Distribution of Innovation and Service Development Grant Funds. Innovation and service development related grant funds will be awarded competitively to support such projects based upon available funding identified by the Commission.

(8) through (9) renumbered (7) through (8) No Change.

Rulemaking Authority 427.013(9), 427.013(10) FS. Law Implemented 427.013, 427.0159, 427.016 FS. History–New 5-2-90, Amended 6-17-92, 7-21-93, 6-26-94, 10-1-96, 3-10-98, 1-13-04, 8-5-18, 3-4-21, 10-6-21,                            .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 11, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 10, 2024