AMENDED IN SENIOR ASSEMBLY OCTOBER 27, 2009

SENIOR ASSEMBLY PROPOSAL NO. 15

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER PURCELL

(COAUTHOR: SENIOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER KIRWIN)

(COAUTHOR: SENIOR SENATOR LONG)

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AP 15: TRANSPORTATION: SENIORS.

EXISTING LAW PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL IN CERTAIN COUNTIES TO IDENTIFY UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS, INCLUDING THE UNMET NEEDS OF SENIORS, THE HANDICAPPED, AND PERSONS OF LIMITED MEANS WITHIN THE COUNTY, AND TO REVIEW AND RECOMMEND ACTION BY THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AGENCY FOR THE COUNTY, AS SPECIFIED.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS IN ALL COMMUNITIES BASED UPON INCOME ELIGIBILITY AND WOULD FUND THIS FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS BY IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL $3 ON NEW AND RENEWED DRIVER’S LICENSES.

VOTE: MAJORITY.

AP 15: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION

WHEREAS, THE NUMBER OF SENIORS WHO HAVE UNMET TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IS GROWING DAILY; AND WHEREAS, SENIORS WHO LOSE THEIR DRIVER’S LICENSES FOR MEDICAL OR FINANCIAL REASONS ARE MORE RELIANT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION; AND

WHEREAS, WHILE SOME COMMUNITIES PROVIDE SENIORS WITH FREE OR REDUCED COST ON LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES IS SOMETIMES INADEQUATE, NONEXISTENT, OR PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE; AND

WHEREAS, THERE IS AN UNMET NEED IN MOST COMMUNITIES FOR INEXPENSIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS TO ATTEND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, SHOPPING MALLS, RELIGIOUS MEETINGS, AND OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES; AND

WHEREAS, MANY SENIORS FOREGO OBTAINING NECESSARY MEDICAL TREATMENT, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, OR FOOD ITEMS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION NEEDED TO OBTAIN THESE GOODS AND SERVICES AND

WHEREAS, PROVIDING FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO SENIORS WILL ENABLE SENIORS TO RELIABLY OBTAIN THE GOODS AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE; AND

WHEREAS, PROVIDING FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO SENIORS SO THAT THEY MAY PERFORM OR ACCOMPLISH THE NECESSARY ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS OF LIFE WILL BENEFIT SENIORS BY POSITIVELY STIMULATING THEM MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND PHYSICALLY; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY AND THE SENIOR SENATE, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2009 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES TO (1) MAKE FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS IN ALL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE BASED UPON INCOME ELIGIBILITY; AND (2) FUND THIS FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS BY IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL $3 ON EVERY NEW AND RENEWED CALIFORNIA DRIVER’S LICENSE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

RN 09 16850

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