Bill > HB909

This bill addresses a severe school bus driver shortage in Hawaii by proposing several key measures to improve student transportation. The legislation authorizes the Department of Education to use alternative vehicles like motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for student transportation, provided certain safety conditions are met, such as having an adult staff chaperone and obtaining necessary waivers from parents. The bill also allows the department to create a staggered school start time program for the 2025-2026 school year to help mitigate the driver shortage. To support these efforts, the bill appropriates funds for purchasing alternative vehicles and provides incentives for individuals to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The bill stems from an emergency proclamation issued by Governor Green in August 2024, which temporarily relaxed vehicle and driver certification rules after 108 bus routes were suspended, affecting approximately 3,720 students across Central Oahu and East Hawaii Island. By codifying these flexibilities, the legislation aims to ensure more consistent and accessible student transportation services while maintaining necessary safety standards.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=909&year=2025