AK SB201

Establishes a safe routes to school program administered by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Social Services and Education and Early Development to reduce vehicle-pedestrian accidents and improve student health.

Requires the program to include a statewide strategic plan, grant procedures for site-specific projects, and outreach and technical assistance to schools and entities.

Legislature may appropriate at least 18 percent of annual federal receipts from transportation alternatives programs and surface transportation programs to the safe routes program, with no transfers to other programs permitted.

Directs the department to use 10-30 percent of program funds for non-infrastructure projects and award grants to projects located within two miles of schools that facilitate walking and bicycling through sidewalk improvements, crossings, bicycle facilities, traffic calming, and safety education.

Requires annual reporting to the legislature including program funding, estimated benefits, progress on benchmarks and goals, and recommendations for legislative improvements; defines "high-need areas" as schools where at least 50 percent of children qualify for free and reduced-price meals or census tracts with median household income below 80 percent of statewide average.