Committee rejects bill requiring private schools that accept state funds to provide student transportation

The House Education Committee voted against HB 1541, a proposal that would have required private schools accepting any state funds to provide transportation for enrolled students.

Representative Jim Wooten presented the bill and framed it as an equity measure intended to ensure students who receive state support and choose private schools would have the same access to transportation services that public-school students typically receive. Wooten cited examples such as homeless students and families with limited means and said transportation should not be a barrier to attendance.

Committee members extensively questioned the bill’s scope, the 35-mile radius referenced in discussion, potential costs for private schools and whether the requirement would apply only to students on Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) or to all students at a private school that accepted any state money. Vice Chair Fred McKenzie (vice chair) clarified from the bill text that the language is broad: “a private school that accepts state funding of any type shall provide transportation.” That means even acceptance of a single EFA student would trigger the requirement for the private school, several members noted.

Tony Rose of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers testified against the bill, saying private schools’ operational models differ from public schools and warning that adding transportation requirements could increase costs for private schools and reduce parental choice. Rose estimated the cost of acquiring older buses at roughly $40,000 each as an example during testimony.

Representative Wooten said the measure sought accountability for schools that accept state funds and argued transportation should be available to students who otherwise could not attend. After discussion and public testimony the committee took no motion to pass and the chair announced Representative Wooten’s bill had failed at the committee stage.