Bill > HB909

This bill addresses a critical school bus driver shortage in Hawaii by providing several key provisions to improve student transportation. The legislation authorizes the Department of Education to use alternative vehicles like motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for student transportation, with specific safety conditions and parental liability waivers. The bill creates a legal framework to expand transportation options by granting the Department of Transportation the ability to exempt certain vehicle restrictions when traditional school buses are unavailable. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Education to implement a staggered school start time program for the 2025-2026 school year to help mitigate the driver shortage. To support these changes, the bill appropriates funds for purchasing alternative vehicles and provides financial incentives for individuals to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL). The legislation stems from an emergency proclamation signed by Governor Green in August 2024, which temporarily relaxed transportation rules, and seeks to codify those flexibilities to ensure continued student access to transportation services. By addressing the driver shortage through multiple strategies, the bill aims to ensure that students across Hawaii can reliably get to and from school.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=909&year=2026