Legislative Council/Joint Fiscal Office
Interim 2002 - Studies & Projects
The following is a list of major projects and studies authorized by the General Assembly or its committees directing the work of the staff of the Legislative Council and the Joint Fiscal Office for the 2002 interim. It is provided here for the information of the public. This list may be supplemented or amended during the course of the interim.
Last Revised – June 25, 2002
Agriculture
Dairy Compact Expenditures Approval. H.766, Sec. 98(c) directs that $75,000.00 be expended to support efforts to reauthorize a multistate dairy compact. Expenditures for this purpose may be made only with the approval of the Joint Fiscal Committee if the legislature is not in session. The chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture must be notified by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Markets when expenditures from the fund are planned. Expenditures from funds appropriated for this purpose may not exceed the lesser of $75,000.00 or 20 percent of the total amount of contributions from all other participating states in the fiscal year. Council staff: Sam Burr, Herb Olson, Maria Royle; JFO staff: Stephanie Barrett, Maria Belliveau.
Large Farm Permitting. Both House and Senate Committees on Agriculture may revisit the large farm permit process and review the procedure during the permitting of the expansion of the Vermont Egg Farm. The proposal for a large dairy farm in Charlotte may suggest need for adjustments. Both Committees have asked for a review of other states’ regulation of “corporate” agriculture. Council staff: Sam Burr, Herb Olson, Maria Royle; JFO staff: Sara Teachout; Committee assistant: Emily Neary.
Capital Bill Studies
State House Addition, planning and design. Sec. 1b(7) of Act __ (H.763), the Capital Construction Act, directs the Department of Buildings and General Services, with the chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Institutions, to oversee the planning and design of State House expansion projects. Council staff: Donna Russo-Savage, Mike Slater, Duncan Goss; JFO staff: Sara Teachout, Doug Williams.
Corrections Workforce Committee. Sec. 40 of Act __ (H.763) creates a corrections workforce committee to continue and expand upon the work begun last summer regarding the successful reentry of offenders into the workforce. Council staff: Donna Russo-Savage; JFO staff: Maria Belliveau, Stephanie Barrett; Committee assistant: Sheri Burch.
Commerce and Development
Travel and Tourism Study. H.766, Sec. 263(b) directs the Joint Fiscal Office, with the participation and assistance of the Vermont Tax Department, to consult with the Department of Tourism and Marketing and review the department's work with the University of Vermont to evaluate the tax impact of travel and tourism spending. Based on this review, the Joint Fiscal Office must present to the Joint Fiscal Committee at its November meeting any protocol or findings it can make as to the state revenue implications of appropriations for travel and tourism marketing. Also, Sec. 263(c) directs the Joint Fiscal Office, with assistance of the Legislative Council and from the department, to review Travel and Tourism Department appropriations and spending from FY 00 through FY 02, and consider performance measures and benchmarks for department activities. This review must be completed by November 1, 2002. A special working group is also created to consist of one member who is a representative of the Vermont Travel and Recreation Council chosen by the council, and the chairs of the following committees: House and Senate Appropriations and House and Senate Transportation. The Joint Fiscal Office and the Legislative Council must provide staff support to the working group which is directed to meet in November and December to consider proposals for funding formulas for the Department of Tourism and Marketing. A report and any funding formula developed shall be submitted to the House Clerk, the Secretary of the Senate and the Secretary of Administration on or before January 15, 2003, for consideration in the 2003 legislative session. JFO staff: Tom Kavet, Stephen Klein, Sara Teachout; Council staff: Sam Burr, Emily Tartter; Committee assistant: Rachel Levin.
Joint Housing Committee. The sunset date of this joint committee was extended by Act No. 62 of 2001 (H.483, Affordable Housing) to July 1, 2005, and the committee may meet in the 2002 interim, although the successful passage of Act No.114 of 2002 (H.208, the Downtown Bill), has fulfilled many of its recent goals and priorities. Council staff: Sam Burr, Herb Olson, Maria Royle; JFO staff: Sara Teachout, Maria Belliveau. Committee assistant: Theresa Utton.
Education
Civic education activities. Council staff will manage and coordinate civic education activities relating to the legislative institution, including Project Citizen and Girls’ State, and coordinate the National Conference of State Legislatures’ “Legislative Back to School Week” to arrange for legislators to be in classrooms teaching civics lessons. Also, may develop a State House web page for students. Council staff: Anne Winchester.
Technical Education. Sec. 62 of the Capital bill (H.763) directs the Commissioner of Education to identify the mission and goals for a statewide technical education system with direction from the chairs of several legislative committees, including the two chairs of the education committees. Council staff: Anne Winchester; JFO staff: Mark Perrault.
Commission on Higher Education Funding. Sec. 2 of Act No. 58 (H.176) directs the Legislative Council to provide the “primary administrative support” to the Commission on Higher Education Funding. It will serve as staff to this commission which will meet several times during the interim to prepare its legislative agenda for the next biennium. In addition, H.766, the FY 03 Appropriations Act, directs the CHEF to develop a vision for higher education funding and to develop and sign a higher education compact.
Council staff: Anne Winchester; JFO staff: Maria Belliveau; Committee assistant: Theresa Utton.
Fiscal and Budgeting
Official State Revenue Estimate. On January 15 and on July 15 of each year, and at such other times as the Emergency Board or the Governor deems proper, the Joint Fiscal Office and the Secretary of Administration must provide to the Emergency Board their respective estimates of state revenues in the general, transportation, education, health access trust, and federal funds for the current and next succeeding fiscal years. Within 10 days of receipt of such estimates, the board shall determine an official state revenue estimate for deposit in the General Fund, the Transportation Fund, Education Fund, Health Access Trust Fund, and federal funds for the current and next succeeding fiscal years. For the purpose of revising an official revenue estimate only, a majority of the legislative members of the Emergency Board may convene a meeting of the board. The health access trust fund estimate shall include estimated caseloads and estimated per-member per-month expenditures for the current and next succeeding fiscal years for each population category eligible for state health care assistance supported by the fund. H.766 Sec. 148c. JFO staff: Steve Klein, Steve Kappel; Council staff: Herb Olson, Bill Russell.
Fiscal Year 2003 Deficit Prevention. The FY 03 Appropriations Act (H.766) directs the Secretary of Administration to prepare a “deficit prevention plan” in consultation with legislative leadership and relevant committee chairs, and file the plan with the Joint Fiscal Committee. The Joint Fiscal Committee must meet within 14 days of the date the secretary’s plan is filed, to review and act upon the plan. If the committee fails to meet within that period, or meets but fails to act upon the plan, the plan is deemed approved by the committee, and the secretary may thereupon implement the plan. In the event the committee does meet within that period, the committee may accept all portions of the plan and adopt it in full, whereupon the secretary may implement the plan forthwith. The committee also has the authority, however, to reject all or a portion of the plan. In this event, within 14 days of the date of such committee action, the committee must adopt alternative deficit prevention provisions that achieve savings equivalent to the savings proposed in the secretary’s plan. The alternative reductions adopted by the committee, together with any portions of the secretary’s plan approved by the committee, shall together constitute the final deficit prevention plan, which the secretary may implement forthwith. If the committee fails to adopt such alternative deficit prevention provisions within the 14-day period, the secretary’s original plan is deemed approved by the committee, and the secretary may thereupon implement the plan. The secretary must report to the General Assembly by November 15, 2002, describing in detail the manner in which any deficit prevention plan has been implemented, including a discussion of the impacts of any funding reductions. The secretary has no authority to file a plan under this section after September 30, 2002. H.766 Sec. 324. JFO staff: All; Council staff: Herb Olson, Bill Russell.
Labor Relations Board Funding Study. As required by Sec 43(a) of H.766, the Joint Fiscal Office must review methods of funding labor relations boards in other states, and on or before December 1, 2002, report to the House and Senate committees on appropriations on such methods, and provide recommendations for funding the Vermont state labor relations board in future fiscal years. JFO staff: Stephanie Barrett.
Brownfields Revitalization Fund. H. 766 Sec. 254b(G)(ii) provides that annually, by January 15, the secretary of commerce and community development and VEDA shall submit a report to members of the joint fiscal committee setting out the balance of the fund created under this section, grant and loan awards made to date, funds anticipated to be made available in the coming year, and any other matters of interest. JFO staff: Sara Teachout; Council staff: Sam Burr.
Government Operations
House and Senate Redistricting. Some statistical research, legislative history and legal analysis may be required of Legislative Council in connection with litigation, if any, on redistricting the House and Senate in 2002. Council staff: Brian Leven, Bill Russell, Michael Chernick, Duncan Goss; Committee assistants: Shirley Adams, Theresa Utton.
Administrative Rules and Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules. This statutory joint committee meets biweekly to review all agency rule making. Council staff: Brian Leven, Al Boright; Committee assistant: Katie Pickens.
Municipal liability-Legislative Council Report. H.568 Sec. 2 directs the Legislative Council staff to: examine the statutory and common law provisions of the state of Vermont on municipal sovereign immunity and qualified immunity, and how these provisions affect the rights of municipal officers and employees and persons injured by municipal officers and employees; summarize existing theories of sovereign immunity for municipalities, and immunity for municipal officers and employees; examine whether there is a national trend toward or away from providing immunity to municipal officers and employees; examine the statutory and common law provisions of other New England states, and states comparable in local governance or population, regarding sovereign immunity for municipalities and immunity for municipal officers and employees; examine the policy set forth in 24 V.S.A. chapter 121, subchapter 6; and examine options to protect personal assets of municipal employees and volunteers from work-related claims, while preserving remedies for injured parties for these claims. By January 1, 2003, the Legislative Council must file a report of its findings, including an analysis of options suitable for the state of Vermont, with the General Assembly. Council staff: Al Boright, Brian Leven, Matt Chapman.
Legislative Study Committee on Proposals for Transferring Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters into the Group C Plan of the Vt. State Retirement System. H.766 Sec. 41a, the FY 03 General Appropriations Act, creates a legislative study committee to recommend options for transferring state law enforcement officers and firefighters hired prior to July 1, 2000 from the Group F plan to the Group C plan of the Vermont state retirement system. The committee is comprised of two members of the House Committee on Government Operations and one member of the House Committee on Appropriations appointed by the Speaker of the House, three members of the Senate Committee on Government Operations appointed by the Committee on Committees, the Commissioner of Personnel, the State Treasurer or designee, two representatives of the Vermont state employees’ association, the Director of Retirement Services, the chair of the Vermont State Retirement System board of trustees, and the Commissioner of Finance and Management or designee. The committee may meet up to two times, and must file a report of its recommendations with the General Assembly by January 15, 2003. Council staff: Brian Leven; JFO staff: Stephanie Barrett, Stephen Klein: Committee assistant: Shirley Adams.
Municipal Charter Project. Legislative Council staff will continue the codification of municipal charters pursuant to the schedule developed by the House Committee on Local Government in prior years and oversee their publication in the Vermont Statutes Annotated. This interim, the charters of solid waste districts will also be codified. Council staff: Al Boright, Michael Chernick.
Health and Welfare
Medicaid and Medicaid Budget. Under H.766 Sec. 148a, the Commissioner of PATH and the Commissioner of Finance and Management must provide quarterly to the Joint Fiscal Committee and the Legislative Council such information and analysis as the committee and the council reasonably determine is necessary to assist the General Assembly in the preparation of the Medicaid budget. The following activities and analyses, and others, will be undertaken by the Fiscal and Council staff:
q Review all Medicaid and Pharmacy Program administrative rules amendments. LCAR must act between 6/14 and 6/28. Secs. 148 and 152.
q Receive and analyze reports to JFC and Legislative Council on Medicaid spending. JFO and LC need to establish quarterly reporting mechanism. Sec. 148a.
q JFC and HAOC oversight of Pharmacy Program enrollment freeze. Sec. 148(h).
q Receive and review report on OVHA administration. Sec. 148(q).
q Receive and review PATH report on cost sharing. Sec. 148(e).
q Prepare legislative orientation materials on Medicaid.
JFO staff: Steve Kappel, Stephanie Barrett; Council staff: Herb Olson, Maria Royle, Sam Burr; Committee assistant Lynn Hegameyer.
Medical Marijuana Study. Act No. __ (S.193) establishes an interim study committee of state health and law enforcement officials and health care providers to investigate and assess options for legal protections which would allow seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana without facing criminal prosecution under Vermont law. The committee will be provided professional and administrative support by Legislative Counsel and the Joint Fiscal Office. The committee must submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before January 15, 2003 with findings and recommendations on the value of using marijuana to ameliorate the symptoms associated with severe illnesses and the treatment thereof. The report shall: summarize the experiences of medical providers, criminal justice systems, medical marijuana program administrators and medical marijuana patients in those other states which have passed legislation permitting the medical use of marijuana; identify the most appropriate methods of providing and procuring marijuana for medical uses; identify the range of daily marijuana use necessary to accomplish an ameliorative result; consider whether the use of marijuana for medical purposes should be based upon the patient’s illness or upon the patient’s symptoms; summarize the status and implementation of federal law and policy on the possession, procurement and medical use of marijuana, and physician involvement with medical marijuana patients; and summarize any programs researching the medical use of marijuana currently being conducted in Vermont. Council staff: Herb Olson, Maria Royle, Sam Burr, Erik Fitzpatrick, Michele Childs; JFO staff: Steve Kappel; Committee assistant: Lisa Sanchez.
Commission on Substance Abuse reimbursement. H 766 Sec. 131(d), the FY 03 Appropriations Act, establishes a commission on a state Medicaid and uninsured substance abuse treatment provider reimbursement network, consisting of 11 members including two Senators and two House members. The commission is directed to consider whether to create a “preferred provider” system or an “any willing provider” system and report to the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations and on Health and Welfare on or before January 1, 2003. Council staff: Herb Olson, Maria Royle, Sam Burr; JFO staff: Steve Kappel; Committee assistant: Lynn Hegameyer.
Health Access Oversight Committee. This joint committee meets regularly, usually once a month, to review implementation of the Vermont Health Access Plan. It has also served as a mechanism for the development of legislative health care policy initiatives. Its focus this interim is VHAP, Vscript and pharmacy cost containment programs, and Medicaid, generally. An annual report must be prepared for the Committee’s review and approval before 1/1/2003. Council staff: Herb Olson, Maria Royle, Sam Burr; JFO staff: Steve Kappel; Committee assistant: Lynn Hegameyer.
Prescription Drugs. The Legislative Council and JFO staff will provide professional support and assistance to Vermont’s delegation to the Northeast State Legislative Association on Prescription Drugs. Also, in assisting the Joint Fiscal Committee and the Health Access Oversight Committee, the Council and JFO staff will review pharmacy program enrollment and Health Department monitoring and reporting of actual caseloads, revenue and expenditures, anticipated caseloads, and actual and anticipated savings from implementation of the preferred drug list, supplemental rebates, and other cost containment activities in each state pharmaceutical assistance program, including the VScript-Expanded program, the VScript program, and the VHAP-Rx program. H. 766 Secs. 148(h) and 148b. Council staff: Herb Olson, Maria Royle, Sam Burr; JFO staff: Steve Kappel, Stephanie Barrett; Committee assistants: Lynn Hagemeyer, Lisa Sanchez.
Vermont Tobacco Evaluation and Review Board. Act 152 of 2000, the FY 01 Appropriations Act, Sec. 271, 18 V.S.A. § 9504, created an independent state board within AHS consisting of 13 members: 1 House Member appointed by the Speaker; 1 Senator appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees; 1 person representing nonprofits and anti-tobacco activities appointed by the Speaker; 1 person from the low income community appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees; 2 persons under age 21, one appointed by the Speaker and one appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees; 3 state officials (Health, Education, and Attorney General), and 4 members appointed by the Governor. The board oversees tobacco counter-marketing activities, grant distribution, contracts for performance evaluations, and the like, to reduce tobacco consumption. Council and JFO office tasks are to assist legislators on the Board and monitor its actions for recommendations for 2003 Legislature. Council staff: Herb Olson, Maria Royle, Sam Burr; JFO staff: Maria Belliveau, Steve Kappel, Stephanie Barrett.
AHS Reorganization Plan. H.766. Sec 118, the FY 03 Appropriations Act, directs the Secretary of the AHS and the Secretary of Administration, in consultation and cooperation with the Joint Fiscal Office and the Legislative Council, to prepare and recommend a plan for reorganization of the Agency of Human Services, including a specific proposal for the most appropriate location, structure and funding for the Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, as well as tobacco programs within the Department of Health. The plan must provide for revisions of the agency’s organizational structure, personnel, budgeting and management, and be presented to the legislature on or before December 15, 2002. Council staff: Herb Olson, Maria Royle, Sam Burr; JFO staff: Maria Belliveau, Steve Kappel, Stephanie Barrett.
Judiciary
Juvenile Justice Policy Subcommittee. Created in Sec. 118a of H. 766, the FY 03 Budget Act, and codified at 3 VSA §3085c (e)(1)(C), to advise the newly formed Commission on Juvenile Justice (3 V.S.A. §3085c) a joint venture between the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Corrections to develop a comprehensive system of juvenile justice for the state. The Juvenile Justice Policy Subcommittee is comprised of 17 members including representatives of law enforcement organizations, social service organizations, state officials and six Legislators, three from the House and three from the Senate. The subcommittee is directed to advise the Commission on the development of a comprehensive juvenile justice system. It must meet monthly and report to the Governor and General Assembly no later than December 1 of each year. The departments of SRS and Corrections are directed to provide administrative support, and Legislative Council staff will serve as a liaison between the Subcommittee and the Legislature on these issues during the interim. Council staff: Erik Fitzpatrick, Michele Childs.
Joint Committee on Judicial Rules and Judicial Rules Procedures. The statutory Joint Committee on Judicial Rules will meet periodically to review judicial rules. In addition, the Advisory Committees on Evidence and on Civil, Criminal, Family and Probate Rules will be adopting rules throughout the year which must be reviewed by Legislative Counsel so that issues may be noted for the Joint Committee. Council staff: Erik Fitzpatrick, Michele Childs; Committee assistant: Katie Pickens.
Joint Committee on Judicial Retention. In preparation for the 2003 judicial retention process, the Legislative Counsel will review the forms, questionnaires and procedures used in the process of gathering information on judges up for retention, revise forms that are outdated or inconsistent with other mandates, and review ways to streamline and coordinate the process. The Joint Committee may meet to review and make recommendations regarding any of the judges up for retention before the 2003 General Assembly. Council staff: Michele Childs, Erik Fitzpatrick; Committee assistant: Debbie Curtis.
Restitution Procedures Study. Act No. __ (S.222) requires the department of corrections, the defender general, the department of state’s attorneys, the court administrator and the center for crime victims services to report to the House and Senate Committees on Judiciary on January 1, 2003 on the viability of establishing and maintaining a restitution system funded by a surcharge imposed on all criminal and traffic violations. The report must include an examination of other possible methods of funding and organizing the payment of restitution to crime victims, including study of the restitution systems in place in California and other states, to determine if any of these alternatives would be effective and appropriate in Vermont, as well as a complete assessment of the financial impacts of both the current system and the proposed alternative, including current and projected data on each system’s operating costs and revenue. The Legislative Council will track the study’s progress and report on its conclusions and recommendations to the Committees on Judiciary. Council staff: Erik Fitzpatrick, Michele Childs; JFO staff: Maria Belliveau, Stephanie Barrett.
Terrorism Legislation Study. Act No. __ (S.298) requires the Administration, after studying the issue collaboratively with the Attorney General, the Department of State’s Attorneys, the Defender General, the Department of Health, health care professionals and the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont, to report to the Senate and House Committees on Judiciary on or before December 1, 2002 on whether there is a need for additional legislation in Vermont to address threats to public safety posed by terrorism. Legislative Council will track the study’s progress and report on its conclusions and recommendations to the Committees on Judiciary. Council staff: Michele Childs, Erik Fitzpatrick.
Anti-Terrorism and Bio-Terrorism Control Federal Grants. In addition to the above, the Secretary of Administration is directed to prepare and submit a plan for spending any federal anti-terrorism and bio-terrorism control funds to the General Assembly if it is in session, otherwise to the Joint Fiscal Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting.
H. 766 Sec. 8(b)(1). JFO staff: Maria Belliveau, Stephanie Barrett.
Drug Court Study. Act No. __ (H.213) requires the Court Administrator to coordinate drug court initiative committees in six counties and to report to the Senate and House Committees on Judiciary in January 2003 regarding the various approaches taken by the counties so that the legislature may act on future drug court initiatives. The act also requires the Court Administrator and the Agency of Human Services to apply for federal monies to implement drug courts in Vermont. A major component will include developing a strategic plan, based on information gathered by the initiative committees, to be used for submission as a grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Justice for funding of the projects. Legislative Council will be working as a liaison between the Court Administrator and the Legislature on these issues during the interim and developing any implementation legislation for 2003. Council staff: Michele Childs, Erik Fitzpatrick.
Pilot Project for Combating Drug Crimes. In addition to the above, $50,000.00 is appropriated to the judiciary for coordinating and reporting on the pilot project for combating drug crimes and the application for federal funding for drug court and other similar programs as designated in H.213 (Act No. ). Of the $50,000.00 appropriated for this purpose, $10,000.00 is general funds and the remaining $40,000.00 is from tobacco funds which may not be released until the Joint Fiscal Committee has approved a plan for the pilot project submitted by the Court Administrator. H.213 Sec. 4. JFO staff: Stephanie Barrett.
Joint Legislative Corrections Oversight Committee. A new joint legislative corrections oversight committee is created by Sec.170d of the H.766 (FY 03 general appropriations act) to exercise oversight over the Department of Corrections, and work with and provide assistance to other legislative committees on matters related to corrections policies. The Joint Committee will have the professional and clerical services of the Joint Fiscal Office and the Legislative Council. JFO staff: Maria Belliveau, Steve Klein, Stephanie Barrett; Council staff: Donna Russo-Savage, Herb Olson, Maria Royle, Sam Burr; Committee assistant: Sheri Burch.
Natural Resources and Energy
Joint Energy Committee. This statutory joint committee may meet in the 2002 interim. Council staff: Al Boright, Sam Burr; JFO staff: Doug Williams; Committee assistant: Emily Neary.
Taxation
Study Of Land Value, Split Rate/Two Tier Taxation. The Legislative Council and the Joint Fiscal Office, with the assistance of the Agency of Administration and the Department of Taxes, are directed to study the feasibility of a land value, split rate or two tier tax system that would allow municipalities to levy in any year separate and different rates of taxation on land and buildings in designated downtowns. The analysis must evaluate the impacts on state and local revenues and state policy objectives, including preservation of downtowns. The study is to be submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Commerce by January 15, 2003. H.208 Sec. 19a. Council staff: Emily Tartter, Sam Burr; JFO staff: Mark Perrault, Sara Teachout; Committee assistant: Rachel Levin.
Transportation
Approval of Amtrak Contract. Any agreement between the state of Vermont and Amtrak, or its successor, for passenger rail service during all or any portion of FY 03 must be made contingent upon the approval of the General Assembly, and, if the General Assembly is not in session, upon the approval of a special committee consisting of the Joint Fiscal Committee and the chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Transportation. If a contract is approved by the special committee and pursuant to the recommendations of the special committee, the Emergency Board is authorized to make such transfers as may be required to cover any difference between the approved contract amount and the amount authorized and appropriated for such passenger rail service. Any transfer made shall be consistent with legislative priorities reflected in the transportation capital and appropriations acts. H.764 Sec. 46. Council staff: Mike Slater. JFO staff: Neil Schickner; Committee assistant: Sheri Burch.
Audit and Study of the Champlain Flyer H. 764, the Transportation Capital bill, directed the Joint Fiscal Office, with the cooperation and assistance as needed from the Vermont Transportation Authority, the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization and the agencies of administration and transportation, to develop and carry out an audit on the Champlain Flyer commuter rail service. The audit is to be based on performance through federal FY 02 and utilize numerical ratios derived from standard operating and financial data, and performance measures that are industry standard, including performance measures contained in the September 1999 CCMPO Burlington Corridor Analysis. In addition, the Joint Fiscal Office is directed to consider and review the following: FTA-approved capital and operating budgets versus actual capital and operating budgets from the start of the project; actual versus projected ridership levels; actual versus projected revenue; capacity utilization; rail service air pollutants versus displaced vehicles pollutants; rail service fuel usage versus displaced vehicles fuel usage; projected vehicle congestion relief versus actual vehicle congestion relief; and projected cumulative operating surpluses and deficits, taking into account equipment useful life. The study must also compare performance with that of similar commuter rail services around the country. The agency of transportation must transfer to the Joint Fiscal Office, as reimbursement upon certification of expenses incurred up to $45,000.00 of transportation development funds to carry out specific elements of this audit. The study must be submitted to the members of the Joint Fiscal Committee and the House and Senate committees on transportation by January 15, 2003. H.764 Sec. 18. JFO staff: Neil Schickner; Council staff: Mike Slater; Committee assistant: Sheri Burch.