Authority: Titles 33.1 and 58.1, Code of Virginia.

A. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall conduct a study of the current communications equipment utilized by organizations that provide transportation services in Virginia and receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration or the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, particularly with respect to the organization's ability to communicate internally and with first responders in the event of a national emergency or natural disaster.  In the event that such study concludes that existing communications equipment is outdated or inadequate, the Department shall expand its study to include the future need for upgraded communications equipment, and the availability of state or federal funds, including funds from the Department of Emergency Management and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, that may be utilized for upgrading such communications equipment.

B. Out of the amounts identified in this Item, $231,600 the first year and $238,500 the second year from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund shall be paid to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission