4976S.06T
SENATE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 47
WHEREAS, Missouri has a long tradition of providing funding for multimodal transportation services; and
WHEREAS, multimodal transportation services are a tool for economic development, mobility and congestion relief; and
WHEREAS, Missouri citizens directly benefit from multimodal transportation services; and
WHEREAS, recent state budget woes have forced personnel cuts, the elimination of promotional funds, and the implementation of a $5 ticket surcharge to supplement insufficient state appropriations for passenger rail services; and
WHEREAS, other multimodal transportation services, such as MetroLink and OATS, face financial shortfalls during tight budgetary times; and
WHEREAS, mass transit systems are looking into fare increases in order to balance their budgets; and
WHEREAS, total state multimodal program funding for aviation, passenger rail, motor carrier, waterways, and transit has decreased from approximately $25 million in fiscal year 2000 to $16 million in fiscal year 2004; and
WHEREAS, there is a strong desire to stabilize and improve multimodal transportation services in Missouri in order to alleviate and enhance the mobility of people, goods, and freight; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, a multimodal transportation approach offers the promise of:
1. Lowering overall transportation costs by allowing each mode to be used for the portion of the trip to which it is best suited;
2. Increasing economic productivity and efficiency, thereby enhancing the nation's global competitiveness;
3. Reducing congestion and the burden on overstressed infrastructure components;
4. Generating higher returns from public and private infrastructure investments;
5. Improving mobility for the elderly, disabled, isolated, and economically disadvantaged; and
6. Reducing energy consumption and contributing to improved air quality and environmental conditions.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Missouri Senate, Ninety-Second General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the House of Representatives concurring therein, hereby establish the "Joint Interim Committee on Multimodal Transportation Services"; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the joint interim committee herein established shall consist of five members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate, of which at least two shall be members of the minority party; and five members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, of which at least two shall be members of the minority party; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee shall make a comprehensive analysis of Missouri's multimodal transportation services and shall:
(1) Create a long-term vision for state supported multimodal transportation services in Missouri;
(2) Formulate multimodal transportation policies and strategies that will place Missouri in a proactive position with regard to Missouri's future transportation challenges and opportunities;
(3) Explore how Missouri can better regulate and connect the various modes of transportation into a united system;
(4) Provide recommendations of how to reduce dependence on state general revenue support by increasing efficiencies, exploring dedicated funding sources, and by establishing local community support requirements;
(5) Provide recommendations of how to establish public/private partnerships with railroads to complete infrastructure improvements that will reduce track congestion and improve on-time performance of trains;
(6) Provide recommendations of how to increase utilization of multimodal services through the stabilization of services, increased promotional efforts, and service improvements; and
(7) Review and explore any other issues the Committee deems relevant to the issue of improving multimodal transportation services; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee be authorized to hold hearings as it deems advisable, and may solicit any input or information necessary to fulfill its obligations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the staffs of House Research, Senate Research, and the Joint Committee on Legislative Research shall provide such legal, research, clerical, technical, and bill drafting services as the Committee may require in the performance of its duties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee, its members, and any staff personnel assigned to the Committee shall receive reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Committee or any subcommittee thereof; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appointed members of the joint interim committee be appointed by June 1, 2004; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee report its recommendations and findings to the Missouri General Assembly by January 15, 2005, and that the authority of said Committee shall terminate on said date.