Bill Number: SB 479
Subject: Regional Transportation Districts
First Author: Senator Tim Lanane, D-Anderson
Summary of Legislation: Establishing Regional Transportation Districts. The bill permits counties to establish a regional transportation district (RTD) to plan, design, acquire, construct, enlarge, improve, renovate, maintain, equip, finance, operate, and support public transportation systems.
Fees and Taxes: It establishes a fee on vehicle registrations, and permits the creation of allocation areas, the establishment of a special allocation of county option income taxes, and the imposition of a food and beverage tax, a county economic development income tax, or a special benefits property tax to provide funding to regional transportation districts.
Mergers: It permits other public transportation agencies to merge into a regional transportation district.
Deputy Commissioner: The bill requires the Governor to appoint a Deputy Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to assist the commissioner with the public transportation responsibilities of INDOT.
Effective Date: Upon passage.