Section 48:1656.1 - The Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board; creation; composition; powersA. The Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to as the "advisory board", is hereby created to assist the Regional Transit Authority and shall have the purpose, composition, duties, and functions provided in this Section.B.(1) The purpose of the advisory board is to advise and make recommendations to the Regional Transit Authority in making informed decisions regarding the functions outlined in R.S. 48:1654(B).(2) To ensure the advisory board can function effectively, the following powers and functions shall be vested in the board: (a) Full and unrestricted access to all written information, documents, data which are before the Regional Transit Authority board of commissioners and its committees. However, this Subparagraph does not include items that are covered by the executive session proceedings.(b) The power to request written briefings, presentation reports, and any other information as needed from the staff of the Regional Transit Authority in making informed decisions regarding the functions outlined in R.S. 48:1654(B).(c) The power to adopt formal recommendations regarding any such matter which shall be presented on the record at commission meetings prior to a vote. However, the advisory board shall not have the power to vote.(3) The advisory board shall be required to meet quarterly with the board of commissioners.C. The advisory board shall be composed of eleven persons as follows:(1) An employee of the Regional Transit Authority appointed by the chief executive officer.(2) A local member of the Amalgamated Transit Union who works for the Regional Transit Authority appointed by the president and business agent.(3) A member from Ride New Orleans appointed by the executive officer.(4) The president of each of the following universities: Loyola University, Tulane University, Xavier University, Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, the University of New Orleans, and the University of Holy Cross.(5) Two members appointed by the president of the Louisiana American Federation of Labor and Congress of Louisiana Industrial Organizations.D. All appointed members of the board shall receive at least two hours of transit-specific training in the duties, responsibilities, ethics and substance of the positions held and two hours of training on labor and union relations best practices, either before taking office or no later than one year after the office is assumed. All training shall be formally approved by the board and ratified by each participating parish or city legislative body.E. Any city or parish with appointments and representation on the Regional Transit Authority board of commissioners shall have the authority to audit the Regional Transit Authority or hire a third party to perform the audit. All records and information requested in the audit shall be provided in an expedited manner by the Regional Transit Authority. A city or parish council may levy fines on the Regional Transit Authority.Added by Acts 2024, No. 474,s. 1, eff. 8/1/2024.