[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 9 (Monday, March 1, 2004)]
[Pages 280-281]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Executive Order 13330--Human Service Transportation Coordination

February 24, 2004

    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
(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.

[[Page 281]]

    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 
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.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 February 24, 2004.

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:57 a.m., February 25, 
2004]

Note: This Executive order was published in the Federal Register on 
February 26.