The School Busing Improvement Act seeks to enhance student transportation services in Ohio by amending various sections of the Revised Code and establishing new funding and reporting provisions. Key amendments include the introduction of definitions for terms such as "assigned bus," "density," and "nontraditional ridership" for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, as well as a revised calculation of transportation costs per student and per mile. The bill also modifies payment calculations for students in community and nonpublic schools, adjusting funding multipliers based on the type of school attended. Additionally, it mandates the Department of Education and Workforce to implement a program for distributing bus purchasing grants to school districts, clarifies transportation requirements for K-8 students living more than two miles from their assigned schools, and allows for payment in lieu of transportation when bus service is impractical.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for fund transfers to the General Revenue Fund, effective July 1, 2025, authorizing the Director of Budget and Management to transfer cash balances from specified funds, which will be abolished upon completion of the transfers. It also repeals existing sections of H.B. 96 from the 136th General Assembly, streamlining the transfer process by removing previous requirements for discharging encumbrances before transfers. Overall, the legislation aims to improve the efficiency, accountability, and funding of student transportation services while ensuring that all eligible students receive necessary support.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3317.0212, 3327.01, 3327.016, 3327.021, 265.10, 265.300, 512.10, 516.10, H.B