Regional Transit Bill Signed Into Law By Gov. Deal

ATLANTA, GA — Governor Nathan Deal has given the green light for the Atlanta region to embark on a new era of transportation planning. Gov. Deal on Thursday signed House Bill 930, which creates the state-level Atlanta region Transit Link Authority.

Known simply as the ATL, this effort will map out a new structure for coordinated transit planning and funding for the 13-county metro Atlanta region. The ATL will be responsible for developing a Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. Deal also allotted $100 million in 10-year general obligation bonds in the fiscal year 2019 budget to fund public transit.

Deal said the Peach State remains a destination for all types of industries and people. Since the metro area is expected to add another 2.5 million residents by 2040, the legislation allows the state to prepare for the future of the region and the surrounding areas.

"With the establishment of the ATL, we are taking another significant step to ensure that our modes of transit and mobility are worthy of the number one state for business and the best place for opportunity," he added.

House Bill 930 also outlines funding for public transit for approval by the ATL through optional Transportation Local Option Sales Taxes of up to 1 percent for up to 30 years, which counties may apply if they so choose. The 13-county region under the ATL includes Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale counties.

The ATL will be attached to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority for shared administrative resources and will be governed by a 16-member board. Ten of these members will represent 10 new, specially created transit districts and will be chosen by a combination of county commission chairs and a caucus of local legislative delegations.

One mayor, to be selected by a caucus of mayors from the municipalities located within each district, will also sit on the board. The board’s chair will be appointed by the governor and the vice-chair will be selected annually by a vote of the board members. Two board members will be appointed by the speaker of the House and two board members will be appointed by the lieutenant governor.

The commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation will sit on the board as an ex-officio, non-voting member. GRTA and State Road and Tollway Authority Executive Director Christopher Tomlinson will serve as the ATL’s interim director.

State Sen. Brandon Beach, a Republican from Alpharetta, thanked Gov. Deal for his efforts in investing in the infrastructure that's allowed the state to be recognized as the best in the country to do business.

“This legislation provides the framework for the region to come together to provide our citizens the opportunity to cross jurisdictional lines in seamless, efficient, clean and most of all safe method when riding transit,“ he said.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here)

Image via Andrea Briscoe, Gov. Deal’s photographer