Public transit operators: bus procurement: safety considerations.

(1) Existing law imposes various requirements on transit operators and provides funding for transit services and capital improvements. This bill would require a public transit operator, before the procurement of a new bus to be used in revenue operations, to take into consideration recommendations of, and best practices standards developed by, the exclusive representative of the recognized organization representing bus operators of the transit operator for specified purposes, including, among other purposes, reducing the risk of assault on bus operators. By creating new duties for public transit operators, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.