(a) Findings:  Rhode Island is dedicated to environmental protection, efficient use of resources, sound fiscal policy, and sustainable development. Reducing vehicle miles traveled for commuting to work can lead to reductions in air pollution emissions, greenhouse gases, energy consumption, road congestion, and parking shortages. Reduced vehicle miles traveled would also lead to lower total motor fuel consumption, keeping more energy dollars that now flow out-of-state available in the state for local consumption and investment; a state government plan to reduce “drive alone” commuting and an increase in carpooling, transit use, and walk-to-work modes is required. State government, as a major employer can lead by example in promoting alternative forms of travel that can reduce vehicle miles traveled.

(b)  The department of administration shall set up a committee on state employee transportation which shall consist of the directors of the department of administration, RIDOT, RIDEM, RIDOH and statewide planning, or their designees, the general manager of RIPTA or designee, and a representative from a state employee union, to develop, publicize, and implement a plan to give incentives to state employees to reduce vehicle miles in commuting to work. The committee will investigate employee incentives for reducing commuting vehicle miles offered by other public bodies around the country, investigate practices developed by the environmental protection agency’s “Best Workplaces for Commuters Program”, consider the implementation of carpool, telecommuting, guaranteed-ride-home, bike-to-work and walk-to-work programs, and incorporate or adopt those ideas deemed appropriate for Rhode Island into the plan. The plan shall include, but is not limited to, a means for determining base year values of the proportion of single occupant vehicle commute trips and the commute trip vehicle miles traveled per employee and progress toward meeting commute trip reduction plan goals on an annual basis. The goals of miles traveled per employee for all state agencies shall not be less than fifteen percent (15%) reduction from the base year value by January 1, 2012, twenty-five percent (25%) reduction from the base year values by January 1, 2014, and thirty-five percent (35%) reduction from the base year values by January 1, 2016. The plan will also include an offer of a RIPTA transit pass to employees in lieu of parking privileges.

(c)  The director of the department of administration shall report annually to the governor and the committee as to the progress being made to meet the goals.