What's happening
This bill allows certain Suffolk County school districts to use school buses to transport teachers and staff between local train stations and school facilities.
Why it matters
Addresses teacher/staff transportation challenges. By allowing school buses to transport teachers and staff between Long Island Rail Road stations and school facilities, the bill aims to ease commuting difficulties in areas where housing costs, traffic, or lack of parking may make it hard for school personnel to travel to work.
Could help with teacher recruitment and retention. Enhanced transportation options might make it easier for schools in Southampton and East Hampton to attract and keep qualified educators, particularly those who live outside the immediate area and rely on public transit.
Maximizes use of existing resources. The bill allows school districts to use buses that might otherwise be idle during non-student transportation times, potentially reducing the need for additional district spending on separate staff shuttles or parking accommodations.
Localizes the policy to specific needs. The measure is tailored to Suffolk County's unique geographic and economic conditions, signaling a willingness to adapt state law to support local workforce needs and improve school operations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let School Buses Carry Staff
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let School Buses Transport Staff
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 5559 A. 7481
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
May 7, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing certain school districts in the county of Suffolk to use school buses for the transportation of school personnel in certain cases
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1502 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, school districts wholly or partially within the towns of Southampton and East Hampton in the county of Suffolk, shall be authorized to permit the use of school buses to transport teachers and other school personnel in connection with their school district employment, between the Long Island Rail Road stations in Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett, and Montauk and school district facilities.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10649-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing certain school districts in the county of Suffolk to use school buses for the transportation of school personnel in certain cases
Purpose or general idea of bill
Authorizes school districts wholly or partially located within the towns of Southampton and East Hampton to use school buses for the transporta- tion of school personnel in certain cases.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends Section 1502 of the Education Law by adding a new subdivision 6 authorizing school districts wholly or partially within the towns of Southampton and East Hampton in the county of Suffolk, to permit the use of school buses to transport teachers and other school personnel in connection with such employment, between the Long Island Rail Road stations in Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagan- sett, and Montauk and school district facilities, in connection with the operation of the South Fork Commuter Connection Service, operated by the Long Island Rail Road.
Section. 2. Immediate effective date.
Justification
After several years of preparation, planning and successful State fund- ing efforts, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) began operating the South Fork Commuter Connection (SFCC) on March 4, 2019. The SFCC provides commuters with two new eastbound trains on the South Fork of Long Island during morning rush hours and two returning westbound trains during the afternoon rush period. The goal of the SFCC is to serve as a commuting alternative to the oppressive and increasing traffic congestion on Coun- ty Road 39 and Montauk Highway.
Utilizing the State funds, the Towns of East Hampton and Southampton are able to provide commuters with bus shuttle service from the LIRR stations to their jobs in the morning and return service from work back to the train stations at the end of the day. In order to expand shuttle services, the towns would like to be able to transport commuters who are employed by school districts within the SFCC service territory by means of school bus. Current law, however, must be amended to allow passengers on a school bus that are not riding with pupils for this purpose. This legislation is necessary to authorize school districts within the towns of Southampton and East Hampton to permit the use of school buses to transport teachers and other school personnel between the LIRR stations in Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett, and Montauk and school district facilities, in connection with the operation of the SFCC.
Prior legislative history
2019: New Legislation
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.