Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 140027

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Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 140027

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-131-14

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: EXPAND PATRIOT PASS

Introduced: 1/6/2014

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 2/4/2014

Agenda Date: 2/4/2014

Agenda Item Number: 11A2

Notes:

PH AT COMMITTEE

Title:

RESOLUTION MODIFYING TRANSIT FARE STRUCTURE TO ALLOW MIAMI-DADE COUNTY RESIDENTS TO USE THE TRANSIT SYSTEM WITHOUT PAYING A FARE IF THEY (1) ARE VETERANS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE, AND (2) THEIR HOUSEHOLD INCOME DOES NOT EXCEED THE STANDARD THRESHOLD APPLIED TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE LOW-INCOME, SENIOR CITIZENS’S ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

Indexes:

PATRIOT PASSPORT

Sponsors:	Esteban L. Bovo, Jr., Co-Prime Sponsor
	Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Co-Prime Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	2/4/2014	11A2	Adopted				P

Transportation & Aviation Committee	1/15/2014	1E1	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation as corrected				P
REPORT:	During consideration of changes to today’s (1/14) agenda, a scrivener’s error was corrected to delete the word “allowing” from the title of this resolution, and Commissioner Diaz was added as a Prime Co-Sponsor. Assistant County Attorney Bruce Libhaber read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Chairman Moss opened the public hearing for persons wishing to speak in connection with this resolution and the following person(s) appeared: 1. Ms. Renita Holmes, community activist, 5800 NW 7 Ave, expressed concern that based on the criteria listed in this resolution, dishonorably discharged veterans would be excluded from the program. She questioned the relevancy of it to other criteria and the level of income, noting many great veterans were dishonorable discharged for good reasons, such as medical, and should be eligible for this program. Chairman Moss closed the public hearing after no other persons appeared to speak on this item. It was moved by Commissioner Bovo and seconded by Commissioner Monestime that this resolution be forwarded to the County Commission with a favorable recommendation. Regarding Ms. Holmes concerns, Commissioner Bovo noted the intent was not to change the criteria of the existing Patriot Passport Program, but to expand it. He said that although there may be a list of dishonorable discharged veterans who may qualify for this program, he felt the criteria was valid, and one way for the County to show its appreciation to veterans who served our Country honorably. Hearing no further comments or questions, the Committee proceeded to vote on this resolution as presented.

County Attorney	1/6/2014		Assigned	Bruce Libhaber	1/7/2014

County Attorney	1/6/2014		Referred	Transportation & Aviation Committee	1/15/2014

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION MODIFYING TRANSIT FARE STRUCTURE TO ALLOW MIAMI-DADE COUNTY RESIDENTS TO USE THE TRANSIT SYSTEM WITHOUT PAYING A FARE IF THEY (1) ARE VETERANS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE, AND (2) THEIR HOUSEHOLD INCOME DOES NOT EXCEED THE STANDARD THRESHOLD APPLIED TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE LOW-INCOME, SENIOR CITIZENS�S ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

BODY

WHEREAS, members of the armed forces have continuously served this nation and the cause of freedom with distinction; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to express its appreciation to those men and women who have risked their lives defending this nation and its interests; and
WHEREAS, many veterans live at or near the poverty line; and
WHEREAS, this Board, on June 8, 2004, adopted R-729-04 which created the Patriot Passport program and provided fare free transit services for honorably discharged veterans below a certain income threshold; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to expand the Patriot Passport program to veterans who receive a general discharge; and
WHEREAS, expanding the Patriot Passport program may increase transit ridership and reduce congestion on the roads of Miami-Dade County,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that pursuant to Section 2-150 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, the transit fare structure is modified to allow Miami-Dade County residents to use the transit system without paying a fare if they (1) are veterans, excluding those dishonorably discharged, and (2) their household income does not exceed the standard threshold applied to determine eligibility for the low-income, senior citizen�s additional homestead exemption.