What's happening
This bill expands and clarifies rules for school districts in New York to enter piggyback bus transportation contracts without requiring cost savings.
Why it matters
Removes the requirement for cost savings. School districts can now enter piggyback bus contracts without proving that the arrangement results in cost savings, which could make it easier and faster for districts to secure needed transportation services.
Expands eligible contract scenarios. The bill broadens the types of piggyback contracts allowed, letting a district provide transportation for its own students to the same or nearby locations as another district, even if both use the same private contractor.
Provides more flexibility for districts. By clarifying and expanding the definition of piggyback contracts, districts have greater flexibility to collaborate and find transportation solutions that meet their needs, potentially reducing administrative burdens and delays.
Could impact school budget planning and efficiency efforts. While the bill may simplify contracting, it could also allow districts to enter agreements without a cost-savings justification, raising questions about oversight, budgeting, and the prioritization of efficiency in transportation spending.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Streamline School Bus Contracts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
450
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES, LAVINE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to piggyback bus transportation contracts
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "school bus route efficiency act".
§ 2. Paragraph g of subdivision 14 of section 305 of the education law, as added by section 12-a of part YYY of chapter 59 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
g. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, section one hundred three of the general municipal law, or any other provision of law to the contrary, the board of education shall be authorized to enter into a piggyback contract with another school district that transports students pursuant to a contract with a private transportation contractor, provided that the board finds that the contract cost is appropriate [and entry into a piggyback contract will result in a cost savings to the school district]. For purposes of this paragraph, a "piggyback contract" means a contract for the transportation of students that: (1) provides transportation for one school district to a location outside the students' school district of residence [to which another school district is already providing transportation to its own students through an existing contract with a private transportation contractor, other than a cooperatively bid contract]; (2) provides transportation for another school district for its own students to the same or nearby locations through a contract with a private transportation contractor; (3) is entered into by the private transportation contractor and each school district involved; and [(3)] (4) provides for transportation in accordance with the terms and conditions of such [existing] transportation contract.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02177-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.