HB 2068

Abstract

Creates the Transportation Benefits Program Act. Requires all covered employers to provide a program that allows a covered employee to elect to exclude from taxable wages and compensation the employee's commuting costs incurred for the purchase of a transit pass to use public transit or for the purchase of qualified parking, up to a maximum level allowed by federal tax law. Provides that all transit agencies shall market the existence of this program and the Act to their riders in order to inform affected employees and their employers. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be deemed to interfere with, impede, or in any way diminish the right of employees to bargain collectively with their employers or affect the validity or change the terms of bona fide collective bargaining agreements in force on the effective date of the Act. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2024. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Provides that the definition of "covered employer" includes an employer that employs 50 or more covered employees (rather than an average of 25 or more full-time employees) in a specified geographic area at an address that is located within one mile of regularly scheduled transit service. Provides that the pre-tax commuter benefit shall allow employees to use pre-tax dollars for the purchase of a transit pass or qualified parking, via payroll deduction, such that the costs for such purchases may be excluded from the employee's taxable wages and compensation up to the maximum amount permitted by federal tax law. Provides that the Regional Transportation Authority shall make publicly available a searchable database of addresses that are located within one mile of regularly scheduled transit service. Removes provisions concerning compensation for qualified parking. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2024. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: In provisions concerning the transportation benefits program, removes a provision that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars for the purchase of qualified parking. Provides that the Regional Transportation Authority shall make publicly available a searchable map (rather than database) of addresses that are located within one mile of fixed-route transit service (rather than regularly scheduled transit service). Effective January 1, 2024.