The bill amends existing laws regarding the reimbursement and management of funds for student transportation vehicles in Washington State. It establishes a reimbursement schedule for school districts to cover the costs of student transportation vehicles purchased after September 1, 1982, and mandates that these reimbursements be placed in a separate transportation vehicle fund for each district. Additionally, the bill introduces a provision allowing school districts to petition the superintendent of public instruction to transfer depreciation payments and earned interest from fully depreciated vehicles to another fund for alternative use if they choose to reduce their fleet due to changing student populations or transportation needs.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the sources of funding for the transportation vehicle fund, including reimbursement payments and earnings from investments. It specifies the permissible uses of these funds, such as purchasing new pupil transportation vehicles, making major repairs, and transitioning to electric or zero-emission vehicles. The superintendent of public instruction is tasked with adopting rules to govern the establishment and use of the transportation vehicle fund, with a notable exception allowing fund transfers as authorized under the new provision for vehicle depreciation.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 28A.160.200, 28A.160.130