(a) There is created a rapid rail authority in Jefferson County to be called the Metropolitan Rapid Rail Study Commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission. The commission shall be a body corporate and politic, shall be governed and managed as provided for in this section, and shall have the powers and duties provided for by this section, and other applicable provisions of law.

(b) The commission shall be composed of five members as follows:

(1) One member appointed by the Jefferson County State Senate Delegation.

(2) One member appointed by the Jefferson County State House Delegation.

(3) One member appointed by the Board of Directors of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.

(4) One member appointed by the Mayor of the City of Birmingham.

(5) One member appointed by the Jefferson County commissioner in charge of roads and transportation.

(c)(1) The members shall be appointed to four-year terms and may be reappointed one time. The appointment of the Board of Directors of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority shall be exempt from the one term reappointment limitation. The persons appointed shall be representative of and knowledgeable about rail transportation operations or service.

(2) The commission shall elect a chair and other officers as it may deem necessary, and shall meet at least quarterly, and may meet at any time on the call of the chair or upon request of a majority of the membership.

(3) A quorum of the commission shall be a majority of the total membership.

(4) Any appointed commission member may designate in writing a representative or proxy who may vote and fully participate in the actions of the board.

(5) Official actions of the commission shall require an affirmative or negative vote of a majority of the total membership of the commission.

(6) The commission is authorized to establish through bylaws such procedures and rules for its operation as it may deem necessary or useful, including the maintenance of minutes and other official records and the adoption of an annual budget.

(7) Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but appointed or designated members may receive reimbursement for actual and necessary travel expenses from funds available to the commission.

(d) The commission may employ personnel as it deems necessary from available funds and may utilize services or assistance from any included county or municipality or other public board or agency, including the loan of personnel.

(e) The commission shall have the following powers, rights, and duties:

(1) To plan for and propose a rapid rail system in Jefferson County.

(2) To adopt and use a corporate seal.

(3) To study feeder transit services to rail stations in coordination with the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.

(4) To submit the scope of services for the study of rapid rail to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority for inclusion in its regional transportation study.

(5) To cooperate with other governmental entities and to contract with other governmental agencies including, but not limited to, the State Department of Transportation, the federal government, counties, and municipalities.

(6) To enter into joint planning agreements.

(f) The commission may develop a plan for providing various rapid rail services which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Establishment, location, or relocation of transit routes.

(2) Areas to be served.

(3) Frequency and method of services.

(4) Coordination of existing services.

(5) Contributions by governments in the service area toward the cost of transit services.

(6) Sources and methods of funding existing or expanding services.

(7) Provision of special services for handicapped persons or other persons unable to use regularly scheduled and equipped services.

(8) Provision of services for special events or occasions.

(9) Any other provisions necessary or desirable to establish a coordinated, reliable, scheduled rapid rail service.

(g) The commission may solicit, accept, and expend grants, appropriations, contributions, or other funds from any source, public or private, and maintain an accounting of the receipts and expenditures, subject to audit by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.

(h) Any department or agency of the state, or any county, municipality, or metropolitan government, or any agency thereof, may, upon request of the commission, provide any services or assistance to the commission in preparing a plan.