Resolve, To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Strengthen and Align the Services Provided to Maine's Veterans To Address the Transportation Needs of Maine's Veterans

Sec. 1. Veterans transportation study to determine need. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor, shall conduct a study, using available federal funds, to determine the need for locally available transportation services that convey veterans to and from employment or employment-related services, medical appointments, mental health services, social services and community activities; and be it further

Sec. 2. Study purpose. Resolved: That the purpose of the study is to inform the development of a pilot project to be established in a location served by a regional transportation network to provide transportation for veterans. The goal of the study and the pilot project is to improve access to essential programs and services for veterans, including, but not limited to, employment or employment-related services, medical appointments, mental health services, social services and community activities, and to inform potential future development of a long-term transportation policy designed to enable the delivery of cost-effective, sustainable and veteran-focused transportation services to meet the current and future needs of veterans in the State; and be it further

Sec. 3. Participants. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation shall invite the participation of various stakeholders in the study and in the development of the pilot project, including, but not limited to, the Public Transit Advisory Council, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 4209-A; and be it further

Sec. 4. Reports. Resolved: That by February 1, 2017 the Department of Transportation shall submit an initial written report on the progress of the study and by January 15, 2018 the Department of Transportation shall submit a final written report, including findings and recommendations, to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation, health and human services and labor matters and veterans and legal affairs. The joint standing committees may each submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature relating to the subject matter of the final report; and be it further

Sec. 5. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.

TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF

Multimodal - Transit 0443

Initiative: Provides one-time funding to conduct a study regarding the availability of transportation services to veterans.

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2015-16	2016-17
All Other	$0	$40,000
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$0	$40,000