Committee holds contentious bill to rewrite school transportation funding and allow alternative vehicles

Summary

Representatives Dan Garner and Jack Nelson presented a rewrite of Idaho’s school transportation funding that would move to an 85% mileage reimbursement, allow inspected non–yellow-bus "authorized vehicles," and restore $7.5 million to the transportation account; the House Education Committee voted to hold the bill for further work.

Representatives Dan Garner and Jack Nelson presented House Bill 293 to the House Education Committee, proposing a substantial rewrite of Idaho’s school transportation reimbursements and rules for permitted vehicles.

The sponsors said the bill would eliminate the current block-grant model—based on enrollment and other factors—and instead reimburse districts and charter schools at a flat 85 percent of verified mileage cost, while restoring $7,500,000 that had been removed in a prior recession. The bill also allows districts to use inspected, approved “authorized vehicles” (smaller passenger vans or cars) for certain trips and sets inspection, marking and driver-training requirements for those vehicles.

Supporters said the changes would simplify reimbursements and allow districts to right-size transportation for small groups and special needs trips. “This…

Committee holds contentious bill to rewrite school transportation funding and allow alternative vehicles

Summary

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