Bill
Bill > HB42
GA HB42
GA HB42Quality Basic Education; calculation and distribution of funds to local units of administration for student transportation programs; revise provisions
summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Part 5 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to program weights and funding requirements under Quality Basic Education, so as to revise provisions for the calculation and distribution of funds by the State Board of Education to local units of administration for student transportation programs; to require the State Board of Education to distribute to each local unit of administration up to 100 percent of projected costs of such local unit of administration's student transportation program, subject to exception; to remove requirements that regular transportation services shall be fully funded before other transportation services are funded; to require the State Board of Education to collaborate with and receive relevant information from local units of administration regarding the calculation of projected costs of student transportation programs; to include the cost of health insurance in the factors considered in calculating the costs of student transportation programs; to provide for processes; to require the Department of Education to update the schedule of standards and variable student transportation costs or cost factors twice each year and to publish such updated schedules on its public website; to provide for the use of vehicles in addition to school buses in student transportation programs; to provide for an increase in the schedule of uniform minimum salaries for drivers; to provide for the inclusion in transportation cost calculations of students who live within 1 and 1/2 miles from school but who cannot safely walk or otherwise travel to school without the use of a motor vehicle; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill revises provisions related to student transportation funding in Georgia's public schools, making several key changes to how transportation costs are calculated and distributed. The bill expands the definition of "school vehicle" to include more than just traditional school buses and requires the State Board of Education to update transportation cost schedules twice yearly. The legislation increases the minimum monthly salary for school vehicle drivers from $500 to $2,000 and allows for funding up to 100 percent of a local unit of administration's projected transportation costs. Importantly, the bill now includes students who live within 1.5 miles of their school but cannot safely walk as eligible for transportation funding, taking into account safety concerns like lack of sidewalks or bike lanes. The bill also requires the State Board of Education to collaborate with local school units when calculating transportation costs and now includes health insurance expenses in cost calculations. Additionally, the bill removes previous restrictions that required regular transportation services to be fully funded before other transportation services, providing more flexibility for local school districts in managing their transportation programs.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 01/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69339 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/229889 |
Loading...