This bill amends Section 22-8-27 of the New Mexico Statutes to provide school districts with the option to replace traditional school buses with electric or zero-emission alternative fuel buses. The amendment specifies that the Department of Education will allow school districts to replace buses on a twelve-year cycle, with the added provision that districts can petition for additional buses or earlier replacements under exceptional circumstances. Furthermore, if a school district opts for an electric or zero-emission bus and has not secured grants or other non-state funding for at least half of the cost, the department will ensure that the district receives funding equivalent to what would be provided for a diesel bus replacement.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for the use of electric school buses as electrical energy storage when they are not in use for student transportation. This allows the buses to provide grid services or assist schools in reducing electrical demand during emergencies. The superintendent of the school district must negotiate agreements with relevant parties to ensure compliance with safety requirements and to establish terms for the use and compensation related to the buses' bidirectional charging capabilities.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-8-27