14055-14055.4

GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 14055-14055.4




14055.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
   (a) Elderly persons and persons with disabilities have the same
rights as other persons to utilize mass transportation facilities and
services.
   (b) As administered by the state, funding under Section 5310 of
Title 49 of the United States Code is dedicated to providing special
transportation for elderly persons and persons with disabilities in
all areas of the state, including urban, small urban, and rural
areas.
   (c) The goal of this federal program is to improve mobility for
elderly persons and persons with disabilities for whom mass
transportation services are unavailable, insufficient, or
inappropriate.
   (d) Additionally, the federal program should be coordinated with
other area paratransit service providers and the consolidated
transportation service agency designated pursuant to Section 15975,
where applicable.
   (e) Within the state, those eligible to receive grants shall
include all of the following:
   (1) Nonprofit corporations and associations which provide
transportation services for elderly persons and persons with
disabilities.
   (2) Public agencies approved to coordinate services for elderly
persons and persons with disabilities, including a consolidated
transportation service agency designated pursuant to Section 15975.
   (3) Public agencies that certify that no nonprofit corporations or
associations are readily available in an area to provide the
service.



14055.1.  The department shall act as the applicant for grants of
funds to provide mass transit services to meet the special needs of
elderly persons and persons with disabilities pursuant to Section
5310 of Title 49 of the United States Code. The department shall
coordinate the funding and administration of available funds as
prescribed by this article.



14055.2.  Funds made available to the department shall be allocated
as follows:
   (a) Not more than 5 percent of the annual federal apportionment
may be retained by the department for the cost of administering
grants.
   (b) The remaining funds shall be allocated by the department, as
directed by the commission, consistent with Section 14055.



14055.3.  The commission shall establish an appeals process.



14055.4.  Prior to approving its program of projects, the commission
shall hold not less than one public hearing.