HI HB828

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free bus passes for students whose households qualify for free or reduced price lunch under the free and reduced price lunch program.

Current eligibility for free bus passes extends only to students who qualify for free lunch; this bill expands eligibility to also include students who qualify for reduced price lunch.

The Department of Education currently serves approximately 35,090 regular education students and 3,359 special education students per day through its school bus program.

Appropriates an unspecified amount from general revenues for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to implement the new bus fare system.

Effective date is June 30, 3000 (appears to be a drafting error).