BILL NUMBER: S8547
SPONSOR: WEIK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, the local finance law and the envi-
ronmental conservation law, in relation to removing references related
to the electric school bus mandate; to amend the education law in
relation to prohibiting mandates requiring school districts to use
certain types of school buses; and to repeal certain provisions of the
education law, the public authorities law and the environmental conser-
vation law relating to electric school buses
 
PURPOSE:
To prohibit any mandate requiring school districts to purchase, operate,
or maintain electric or other specific types of school buses, and to
restore local control to school district superintendents in determining
what buses are purchased and operated.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 repeals section 3638 of the education law and replaces it with
new language clarifying that no mandate may require school districts to
purchase, operate, or maintain a specific type of school bus, leaving
that authority solely with the district superintendent.
Section 2 amends paragraph f of subdivision 2 of section 3623-a of the
education law.
Section 3 amends paragraph e of subdivision 7 of section 3602 of the
education law.
Section 4 amends subparagraph 7 of paragraph e of subdivision 1 of
section 3623-a of the education law.
Section 5 amends subdivision 29 of paragraph a of section 11.00 of the
local finance law.
Section 6 amends subdivision 21-a of section 1604 of the education law.
Section 7 amends paragraph i of subdivision 25 of section 1709 of the
education law.
Section 8 amends subdivision 29-a of paragraph a of section 11.00 of the
local finance law.
Section 9 repeals subdivisions 22 and 23 of section 1854 of the public
authorities law.
Section 10 repeals section 1884 of the public authorities law.
Section 11 amends section 58-0701 of the environmental conservation law.
Section 12 repeals paragraph h of subdivision 1 of section 58-0703 of
the environmental conservation law.
Section 13 provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The current mandate requiring school districts to transition to electric
school buses imposes significant financial and operational burdens on
districts, many of which lack the infrastructure, funding, or logistical
capacity to comply. This bill restores decision-making authority to
local school district superintendents, who are best positioned to evalu-
ate the transportation needs of their communities. By prohibiting
statewide mandates, the bill ensures that districts retain flexibility
to choose the most cost-effective, reliable, and practical means of
student transportation. This change will help prevent unfunded mandates
and protect local taxpayers from costly and premature infrastructure
investments.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Eliminates costs associated with mandatory conversion to electric buses
and related infrastructure
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8547: 3638 education law, 3623-a education law, 3623-a(2) education law, 3602 education law, 3602(7) education law, 3623-a(1) education law, 11.00 local finance law, 1604 education law, 1604(21-a) education law, 1709 education law, 1709(25) education law, 1854 public authorities law, 58-0701 environmental conservation law