ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

Senate: ED DPA 8-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 28-0-2-0

House: ED DPA 7-3-0-0 | 3rd Read 40-17-3-0

Final Pass: 24-0-6-0

SB 1246: school buses; electrification; contracts

Sponsor: Senator Boyer, LD 20

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Authorizes a school district to select a contract carrier or private party that is preapproved by the School Bus Advisory Council (Advisory Council) and that provides electric school buses and related infrastructure and services.

History

Statute allows a school district, if it is found to be economically advantageous, to contract for transportation services as an alternative to operating or in conjunction with a transportation program. These contracts may be with another political subdivision, a common or contract carrier or a private party. If a school district chooses to contract for transportation services, the school district must electronically submit to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) information regarding the contracted transportation services, such as the routes contracted and the number of eligible students transported by each contractor (A.R.S. § 15-923).

The Advisory Council is tasked with assisting the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) in developing school bus and school bus driver rules, recommending curricula for school bus driver safety and training courses, consulting with DPS on the certification of school bus drivers and the safety of school buses and establishing a mailing list that includes any party expressing an interest in the Advisory Council's activities (A.R.S. § 28-3053).

Currently, the Advisory Council consists of the following nine members who are appointed by the Governor:

1)   One member representing DPS;

2)   One member representing the State Board of Education;

3)   Four members from school districts meeting prescribed student count thresholds;

4)   One member representing transportation administrators;

5)   One member who is a certified school bus driver or school bus driver instructor; and

6)   One member representing a private sector school bus service provider.

Provisions☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

1.   Allows a school district to select a contract carrier or private party preapproved by the Advisory Council that provides:

a)   Electric school buses;

b)   Electric school bus charging infrastructure;

c)   Charging and charging management services; or

d)   Electric school bus services. (Sec. 1)

2.   Adds that the Advisory Council is to preapprove contract carriers and private parties providing electric school buses and related infrastructure and services. (Sec. 2)

3.   Mandates the Advisory Council:

a)   Finalize a process for soliciting preapprovals within six months of the general effective date; and

b)   Finalize an initial list of preapproved contract carriers and private parties within one year of the general effective date. (Sec. 3)

4.   Increases the membership of the Advisory Council to add one member with expertise in electric vehicle fleets, electric vehicle charging infrastructure or charging management services. (Sec. 2)

5.   Specifies a school district, if it is found to be economically advantageous, may contract for vehicles. (Sec. 1)

6.   Specifies a school district must submit an electronic report to ADE including specified information about contracted transportation services. (Sec. 1)

7.   Contains a legislative findings clause. (Sec. 4)

8.   Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

 

 

 

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                        SB 1246

Initials CH       Page 0 Transmitted

 

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