SB576,6,11 66.1039 Transit authorities. (1) Definitions. In this section:

SB576,6,12 (a) “Authority" means a transit authority created under this section.

SB576,6,14 (b) “Bonds" means any bonds, interim certificates, notes, debentures, or other obligations of an authority issued under this section.

SB576,6,15 (c) “Common carrier" means any of the following:

SB576,6,16 1. A common motor carrier, as defined in s. 194.01 (1).

SB576,6,17 2. A contract motor carrier, as defined in s. 194.01 (2).

SB576,6,18 3. A railroad subject to ch. 195, as described in s. 195.02 (1) and (3).

SB576,6,19 4. A water carrier, as defined in s. 195.02 (5).

SB576,6,24 (d) “Comprehensive unified local transportation system" means a transportation system that is comprised of motor bus lines and any other local public transportation facilities, the major portion of which is located within, or the major portion of the service of which is supplied to the inhabitants of, the jurisdictional area of the authority.

SB576,6,25 (e) “Municipality" means any city, village, or town.

SB576,7,3 (f) “Participating political subdivision" means a political subdivision that is a member of an authority, either from the time of creation of the authority or by later joining the authority.

SB576,7,4 (g) “Political subdivision" means a municipality or county.

SB576,7,14 (h) “Transportation system" means all land, shops, structures, equipment, property, franchises, and rights of whatever nature required for transportation of passengers within the jurisdictional area of the authority and, only to the extent specifically authorized under this section, outside the jurisdictional area of the authority. “Transportation system" includes elevated railroads, subways, underground railroads, motor vehicles, motor buses, and any combination thereof, and any other form of mass transportation, but does not include transportation excluded from the definition of “common motor carrier" under s. 194.01 (1) or charter or contract operations to, from, or between points that are outside the jurisdictional area of the authority.

SB576,7,21 (2) Creation of transit authorities. (c) Chippewa Valley regional transit authority. 1. The Chippewa Valley regional transit authority, a public body corporate and politic and a separate governmental entity, is created if the governing body of Eau Claire County adopts a resolution authorizing the county to become a member of the authority and the resolution is ratified by the electors at a referendum held in Eau Claire County. Once created, this authority may transact business and exercise any powers granted to it under this section.

SB576,7,23 2. If an authority is created under subd. 1., any municipality located in whole or in part within Eau Claire County shall be a member of the authority.

SB576,8,2 3. After an authority is created under subd. 1., Chippewa County may join the authority created under subd. 1. if the governing body of Chippewa County adopts a resolution to join the authority and the resolution is ratified by the electors at a referendum held in Chippewa County.

SB576,8,5 4. If Chippewa County joins an authority as provided in subd. 3., any municipality located in whole or in part within Chippewa County shall be a member of the authority.

SB576,8,9 5. The jurisdictional area of the authority created under this paragraph is the territorial boundaries of Eau Claire County or, if Chippewa County also joins the authority as provided in subd. 3., the combined territorial boundaries of Eau Claire County and Chippewa County.

SB576,8,15 6. If Chippewa County joins an authority under subd. 3. after it is created, the authority shall provide the department of revenue with a certified copy of the resolution that approves the joining and the referendum results ratifying the resolution. The county's joining of the authority shall take effect on the first day of the calendar quarter that begins at least 120 days after the department receives this information.

SB576,8,21 (3) Transit authority governance. (a) The powers of an authority shall be vested in its board of directors. Directors shall be appointed for 4-year terms. A majority of the board of directors' full authorized membership constitutes a quorum for the purpose of conducting the authority's business and exercising its powers. Action may be taken by the board of directors upon a vote of a majority of the directors present and voting, unless the bylaws of the authority require a larger number.

SB576,9,2 (d) 1. If an authority is created under sub. (2) (c), the board of directors of the authority shall be determined by resolution of the governing body of Eau Claire County or, if Chippewa County also joins the authority as provided in sub. (2) (c) 3., by resolution of the governing bodies of Eau Claire County and Chippewa County, except that all of the following shall apply:

SB576,9,3 a. The board of directors shall consist of not more than 17 members.

SB576,9,5 b. The board of directors shall include at least 3 members from Eau Claire County, appointed by the county executive and approved by the county board.

SB576,9,8 c. If Chippewa County joins the authority as provided in sub. (2) (c) 3., the board of directors shall include at least 3 members from Chippewa County, appointed by the county executive and approved by the county board.

SB576,9,11 d. The board of directors shall include at least one member from the most populous city of each county that is a member, appointed by the mayor of the city and approved by the common council of the city.

SB576,9,13 e. The board of directors shall include at least one member from the authority's jurisdictional area, appointed by the governor.

SB576,9,18 2. If Chippewa County joins the authority as provided in sub. (2) (c) 3. and the governing bodies of Eau Claire County and Chippewa County are unable to agree upon a composition of the board of directors as specified in subd. 1., the board of directors of the authority shall be limited to the minimum members specified in subd. 1. b. to e.

SB576,9,24 (fm) If any provision of this subsection provides for the appointment of a member of an authority's board of directors by the mayor of a city that has no mayor, the appointment shall instead be made by the chairperson of the common council. If any provision of this subsection provides for the appointment of a member of an authority's board of directors by the county executive of a county that has no county executive, the appointment shall be made by the chairperson of the county board.

SB576,10,3 (g) The bylaws of an authority shall govern its management, operations, and administration, consistent with the provisions of this section, and shall include provisions specifying all of the following: