Human Service Transportation Coordination

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, and to enhance access to transportation to 
                improve mobility, employment opportunities, and access 
                to community services for persons who are 
                transportation-disadvantaged, it is hereby ordered as 
                follows:

                Section 1. This order is issued consistent with the 
                following findings and principles:

                    (a) A strong America depends on citizens who are 
                productive and who actively participate in the life of 
                their communities.
                    (b) Transportation plays a critical role in 
                providing access to employment, medical and health 
                care, education, and other community services and 
                amenities. The importance of this role is underscored 
                by the variety of transportation programs that have 
                been created in conjunction with health and human 
                service programs, and by the significant Federal 
                investment in accessible public transportation systems 
                throughout the Nation.
                    (c) These transportation resources, however, are 
                often difficult for citizens to understand and access, 
                and are more costly than necessary due to inconsistent 
                and unnecessary Federal and State program rules and 
                restrictions.
                    (d) A broad range of Federal program funding allows 
                for the purchase or provision of transportation 
                services and resources for persons who are 
                transportation-disadvantaged. Yet, in too many 
                communities, these services and resources are 
                fragmented, unused, or altogether unavailable.
                    (e) Federally assisted community transportation 
                services should be seamless, comprehensive, and 
                accessible to those who rely on them for their lives 
                and livelihoods. For persons with mobility limitations 
                related to advanced age, persons with disabilities, and 
                persons struggling for self-sufficiency, transportation 
                within and between our communities should be as 
                available and affordable as possible.
                    (f) The development, implementation, and 
                maintenance of responsive, comprehensive, coordinated 
                community transportation systems is essential for 
                persons with disabilities, persons with low incomes, 
                and older adults who rely on such transportation to 
                fully participate in their communities.

                Sec. 2. Definitions. (a) As used in this order, the 
                term ``agency'' means an executive department or agency 
                of the Federal Government.

                    (b) For the purposes of this order, persons who are 
                transportation-disadvantaged are persons who qualify 
                for Federally conducted or Federally assisted 
                transportation-related programs or services due to 
                disability, income, or advanced age.

                Sec. 3. Establishment of the Interagency Transportation 
                Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility. (a) There 
                is hereby established, within the Department of 
                Transportation for administrative purposes, the 
                ``Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on 
                Access and Mobility'' (``Interagency Transportation 
                Coordinating Council'' or ``Council''). The membership 
                of the Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council 
                shall consist of:

(i)

 the Secretaries of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Education, 
Labor, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and 
the Interior, the Attorney General, and the Commissioner of Social 
Security; and

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(ii)

 such other Federal officials as the Chairperson of the Council may 
designate.

                    (b) The Secretary of Transportation, or the 
                Secretary's designee, shall serve as the Chairperson of 
                the Council. The Chairperson shall convene and preside 
                at meetings of the Council, determine its agenda, 
                direct its work, and, as appropriate to particular 
                subject matters, establish and direct subgroups of the 
                Council, which shall consist exclusively of the 
                Council's members.
                    (c) A member of the Council may designate any 
                person who is part of the member's agency and who is an 
                officer appointed by the President or a full-time 
                employee serving in a position with pay equal to or 
                greater than the minimum rate payable for GS-15 of the 
                General Schedule to perform functions of the Council or 
                its subgroups on the member's behalf.

                Sec 4. Functions of the Interagency Transportation 
                Coordinating Council. The Interagency Transportation 
                Coordinating Council shall:

                    (a) promote interagency cooperation and the 
                establishment of appropriate mechanisms to minimize 
                duplication and overlap of Federal programs and 
                services so that transportation-disadvantaged persons 
                have access to more transportation services;
                    (b) facilitate access to the most appropriate, 
                cost-effective transportation services within existing 
                resources;
                    (c) encourage enhanced customer access to the 
                variety of transportation and resources available;
                    (d) formulate and implement administrative, policy, 
                and procedural mechanisms that enhance transportation 
                services at all levels; and
                    (e) develop and implement a method for monitoring 
                progress on achieving the goals of this order.

                Sec. 5. Report. In performing its functions, the 
                Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council shall 
                present to me a report not later than 1 calendar year 
                from the date of this order. The report shall:

                    (a) Identify those Federal, State, Tribal and local 
                laws, regulations, procedures, and actions that have 
                proven to be most useful and appropriate in 
                coordinating transportation services for the targeted 
                populations;
                    (b) Identify substantive and procedural 
                requirements of transportation-related Federal laws and 
                regulations that are duplicative or restrict the laws' 
                and regulations' most efficient operation;
                    (c) Describe the results achieved, on an agency and 
                program basis, in: (i) simplifying access to 
                transportation services for persons with disabilities, 
                persons with low income, and older adults; (ii) 
                providing the most appropriate, cost-effective 
                transportation services within existing resources; and 
                (iii) reducing duplication to make funds available for 
                more services to more such persons;
                    (d) Provide recommendations to simplify and 
                coordinate applicable substantive, procedural, and 
                administrative requirements; and
                    (e) Provide any other recommendations that would, 
                in the judgment of the Council, advance the principles 
                set forth in section 1 of this order.

                Sec. 6. General. (a) Agencies shall assist the 
                Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council and 
                provide information to the Council consistent with 
                applicable law as may be necessary to carry out its 
                functions. To the extent permitted by law, and as 
                permitted by available agency resources, the Department 
                of Transportation shall provide funding and 
                administrative support for the Council.

                    (b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to 
                impair or otherwise affect the functions of the 
                Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
                relating to budget, administrative, or legislative 
                proposals.
                    (c) This order is intended only to improve the 
                internal management of the executive branch and is not 
                intended to, and does not, create any

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                right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the 
                United States, its departments, agencies, 
                instrumentalities or entities, its officers or 
                employees, or any other person.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                     February 24, 2004.