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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