The bill establishes a K-12 school route optimization pilot program in specific Florida counties, including Duval, Highlands, Hillsborough, Okeechobee, and Pasco. This program aims to evaluate the efficiency and financial impacts of various student transportation routing scenarios. School districts are required to utilize their existing transportation management systems alongside a student transportation intelligence platform that incorporates artificial intelligence, if available. The program mandates the evaluation of routing scenarios that include expanding transportation for students in grades 7-12 facing hazardous walking conditions, as well as those in kindergarten through grade 12 living more than a mile from school. Additionally, it addresses reducing hazardous walking conditions and dynamically changing routes near registered sexual predators or offenders.

Each participating school district must report the costs associated with implementing these requirements and any cost savings achieved through the use of artificial intelligence, including reductions in fuel use and accidents. The Department of Education is tasked with assisting the districts in implementing the pilot program and is required to submit a summary report of the evaluations to the Legislature by September 1, 2026. The pilot program is set to expire on July 1, 2027.