Bill > HB2287

This bill establishes a "transportation safety net" program to provide additional funding to school districts in Washington State that have demonstrated a significant need for increased transportation costs specifically for "special passengers," which are defined as homeless students requiring transportation under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and foster students needing transportation as mandated by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. School districts can receive these awards only when their allowable transportation expenses for these special passengers exceed the funding already provided by existing state law (RCW 28A.160.180) and any reimbursements from other agencies, with the award amount capped at the district's actual excess expenditures. To be eligible, districts must report these excess costs and the specific services provided to special passengers, and there are specific timeframes for when awards can be granted, after which students might need to arrange their own transportation. The Superintendent of Public Instruction will oversee the application and award process, with the total funding for these awards determined by the state's budget, and the Superintendent will report the total need and awarded amounts to state officials and legislative committees. Charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools are also eligible for these awards, which are considered separate from the state's basic education funding.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2287&Year=2025&Initiative=false