PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

(a) A public transportation advisory committee consisting of nine members shall:

(1) advise the commission on the needs and problems of the state's public transportation providers, including the methods for allocating state public transportation money;

(2) comment on rules involving public transportation during development of the rules and before the commission finally adopts the rules unless an emergency requires immediate commission action;

(3) advise the commission on the implementation of Chapter 461;

(4) perform any other duty determined by the commission; and

(5) reflect the diversity of the state.

(b) The members of the committee shall be appointed by the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives, who shall each appoint:

(1) one member who represents a diverse cross-section of public transportation providers;

(2) one member who represents a diverse cross-section of transportation users; and

(3) one member who represents the general public.

(c) A member serves at the pleasure of the officer who appointed the member. A member is not entitled to compensation for service on the committee but is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses the member incurs in performing committee duties.

(d) The public transportation advisory committee shall meet as requested by the commission.

(e) The commission may adopt rules to govern the operation of the advisory committee.