Relating to regional representation and residency requirements for members of the state transportation commission, and including effective date and applicability provisions

Under current law, the state transportation commission (STC) consists of seven members, not more than four of whom may be from the same political party. The governor appoints the members of the STC for a term of four years. The governor’s appointees are subject to confirmation by the senate. This bill requires that for each of the six regions of the state, as designated by the bill, one member of the STC must be appointed to represent, and must reside in, each region. The seventh member of the STC must be appointed to represent the state at large, and must reside in the state. The bill divides the state into six regions with each region consisting of certain adjoining counties. The regions mirror the department of transportation’s six highway division operations districts. The bill provides that a member who no longer resides in the region or state, as applicable, shall be deemed to have resigned from the STC and the vacancy shall be filled as provided by current law. The bill takes effect upon enactment, applies to members of the STC appointed and confirmed on or after the effective date of the bill, and sets forth transition provisions.