Chapter 250

2008 -- H 7377 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/04/08

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

          

     Introduced By: Representatives Segal, Pacheco, Almeida, Rice, and Ferri

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2008

 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

     SECTION 1. Chapter 36-6 of the General Laws entitled "Salaries and Traveling

Expenses" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

     36-6-21.1. State employee transportation guide plan. – (a) Findings: Rhode Island is

dedicated to environmental protection, efficient use of resources, sound fiscal policy, and

sustainable development. Reducing vehicle miles traveled for commuting to work can lead to

reductions in air pollution emissions, greenhouse gases, energy consumption, road congestion,

and parking shortages. Reduced vehicle miles traveled would also lead to lower total motor fuel

consumption, keeping more energy dollars that now flow out-of-state available in the state for

local consumption and investment; a state government plan to reduce “drive alone” commuting

and an increase in carpooling, transit use, and walk-to-work modes is required. State

government, as a major employer can lead by example in promoting alternative forms of travel

that can reduce vehicle miles traveled.

     (b) The department of administration shall set up a committee on state employee

transportation which shall consist of the directors of the department of administration, RIDOT,

RIDEM, RIDOH and statewide planning, or their designees, the general manager of RIPTA or

designee, and a representative from a state employee union, to develop, publicize, and implement

a plan to give incentives to state employees to reduce vehicle miles in commuting to work. The

committee will investigate employee incentives for reducing commuting vehicle miles offered by

other public bodies around the country, investigate practices developed by the environmental

protection agency’s “Best Workplaces for Commuters Program”, consider the implementation of

carpool, telecommuting, guaranteed-ride-home, bike-to-work and walk-to-work programs, and

incorporate or adopt those ideas deemed appropriate for Rhode Island into the plan. The plan

shall include, but is not limited to, a means for determining base year values of the proportion of

single occupant vehicle commute trips and the commute trip vehicle miles traveled per employee

and progress toward meeting commute trip reduction plan goals on an annual basis. The goals of

miles traveled per employee for all state agencies shall not be less than fifteen percent (15%)

reduction from the base year value by January 1, 2012, twenty-five percent (25%) reduction from

the base year values by January 1, 2014, and thirty-five percent (35%) reduction from the base

year values by January 1, 2016. The plan will also include an offer of a RIPTA transit pass to

employees in lieu of parking privileges.

     (c) The director of the department of administration shall report annually to the governor

and the committee as to the progress being made to meet the goals.

 

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01151/SUB A/3

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