Exempts from certain requirements for installment purchase contracts, those contracts for the purchase of transportation for Indian children by a school district

Title of bill

An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to exempting installment purchase contracts for the transportation of Indian children by a school district from certain requirements; and to amend the education law, in relation to exempting all transportation expenses for Native American students from the approval of school district voters

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to exempt from certain requirements for installment purchase contracts, those contracts for the purchase of transportation for Indian children by a school district.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 109-b of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 258 of the laws of 1994.

Section 2 adds a new section 1502-b to education law to exempt contract schools upon approval of the local school board, from certain transportation expenditure vote requirements.

Section 3 provides for an immediate effective date.

Justification

Section 4101 of the Education Law, subsection 3, authorizes the Commissioner of Education to contract with school districts for the support and education of Native American students. It also authorizes the Commissioner to pay from the funds set apart for Native American education any necessary expense incurred thereby, including certain transportation and building costs.

"Contract schools" are those schools which have a tuition agreement under terms expressed in the New York State Native American transportation contract. Under these terms, contract schools are restricted in their ability to finance bus purchases. They may receive state reimbursement for the purchases, however, according to general municipal law, they cannot finance the necessary bus purchases while waiting for state reimbursement. This bills exempts contract schools from having to receive voter approval in order to purchase buses for Native American students' transportation on and off their reservations.

This bill would allow the school districts to provide for adequate transportation to and from school for Native American students, thereby meeting the responsibility of the state to provide educational support for these students.

Legislative history

2007-08: S.5499

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, provided, that the amendments to paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 109-b of the general municipal law made by section one of this act shall not affect the repeal of such section and shall be deemed to repeal therewith.