Bill > SB1199

This bill addresses the shortage of school bus drivers in Hawaii by authorizing the use of motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for school transportation services under specific conditions. The legislation stems from an emergency proclamation issued in August 2024 that temporarily allowed alternative vehicles to transport students. The bill permanently enables the Department of Transportation to grant exemptions for using non-school vehicles when traditional school buses are unavailable, with several key provisions: drivers must possess a commercial driver's license with passenger endorsement, each student must have a parental liability waiver, an adult staff chaperone must accompany students during transportation, and the Department of Transportation must establish safety rules and standards for these alternative vehicles. The bill applies to public schools, public charter schools, and private schools, and requires each educational entity to submit an annual report on the use of these transportation exemptions. By expanding transportation options, the legislation aims to ensure student mobility, particularly for rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities that have been disproportionately affected by school bus service suspensions, with 138 routes temporarily suspended in the 2024-2025 school year impacting nearly 3,720 students.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1199&year=2026