SECTION 31.13. Discretionary Program

(a) Purpose. Transportation Code, Chapter 456 allows the commission to allocate any funds not obligated in accordance with the terms of §31.11 of this subchapter (relating to Formula Program) on a discretionary basis. This section sets out the policies, procedures, and requirements for that discretionary allocation.

(b) Discretionary allocation. The commission will allocate funds under this section to a local public entity, other than an authority, or to a private nonprofit organization that has the power to operate or maintain a public transportation system. Funds may be used for:

(1) the same purposes as described in §31.11(b) of this subchapter; and

(2) 80 percent of the cost of capital expenditures associated with ridesharing activities.

(c) Application. To receive funds under this section, an entity must first submit a completed application, in the form prescribed by the department. The application must include:

(1) a description of the project, including estimates of the population that would benefit from the project and the anticipated date of project completion;

(2) a statement of the estimated cost of the project, including estimates of the federally financed portions of the project costs; and

(3) certifications that:

(A) local funds are available for local share requirements if required and that the proposed project is consistent with comprehensive regional transportation plans (federal approval of a proposed public transportation project will be accepted as a determination that all federal planning requirements have been met);

(B) federal funds are not available under §31.11 of this subchapter;

(C) equipment furnished by the applicant in connection with ridesharing activities will be used primarily for commuting purposes;

(D) ridesharing activities will be operated on a nonprofit basis without state subsidies and with accountability in operating the van pool equipment; and

(E) any funding available through the United States Department of Transportation to participate in the capitalized portion of state and locally supported ridesharing activities will be applied for and utilized to supplement the availability of local resources for the recapitalization of van pool equipment.

(d) Project evaluation. In evaluating a project under this section, the department will consider the need for fast, safe, efficient, and economical public transportation and the approval of the FTA, or its successor.

Source Note: The provisions of this §31.13 adopted to be effective November 23, 1989, 14 TexReg 5938; amended to be effective January 10, 1992, 17 TexReg 47; amended to be effective March 22, 1996, 21 TexReg 2096; amended to be effective March 26, 1998, 23 TexReg 3044; amended to be effective February 15, 2001, 26 TexReg 1365; amended to be effective April 17, 2003, 28 TexReg 3080; amended to be effective September 1, 2004, 29 TexReg 6734; amended to be effective November 21, 2013, 38 TexReg 8253