HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2280
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a shortage of school bus drivers in the State. This shortage has contributed to the suspension or cancelation of bus transportation services at ten high schools on Oahu and four schools on Kauai.

The legislature further finds that many school buses transport few students, making standard size school buses unnecessary. Drivers of standard size school buses are required to hold commercial driver's licenses, while those that drive motor vehicles that do not fall within the definition of a commercial motor vehicle, like passenger vans carrying less than sixteen people, do not. If the department of education and its student transportation contractors consider the use of vehicles that do not fall within the definition of a commercial motor vehicle, this may alleviate the shortage of drivers, and ultimately the lack of student transportation services, because student transportation drivers will no longer need a commercial driver's license.

The purpose of this Act is to mandate that school bus contracts require contractors to consider the use of smaller vehicles that do not require drivers to hold a commercial driver's license for routes with low ridership or specific geographical limitations, as determined by the department, subject to certain conditions.

SECTION 2. Section 302A-407, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§302A-407 School bus contracts. (a) Any school bus contract between the State and the contractor shall include a provision requiring the contractor to equip the contractor's vehicles with the signs and visual signals described in section 291C-95(d) and (g). The contract shall also include other provisions as may be deemed necessary by the State for the safety of school bus passengers and shall include provisions requiring compliance with the rules and standards described in section 286-181.

(b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a), any school bus contract between the State and the contractor shall require the contractor to consider the use of smaller vehicles that do not require drivers to hold a commercial driver's license for routes with low ridership or specific geographical limitations, as determined by the department; provided that:

(1) The smaller vehicles shall meet all relevant safety standards; and

(2) The contractor shall ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers.

[(b)] (c) All moneys received from students and parents or guardians of students by public schools for state-provided school busing services, as authorized by section 302A-406, shall be deposited into the school bus fare revolving fund. Except as otherwise provided by the legislature, expenditures for the operation of state-contracted school bus services, as authorized by section 302A-406, shall be made from this fund."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

School Bus Contracts; Licensing

Description:

Mandates Department of Education school bus contracts to require contractors to consider the use of smaller vehicles that do not require drivers to hold a commercial driver's license for routes with low ridership or specific geographical limitations, as determined by the Department, subject to certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.