NC H560

Establishes criteria for the State Board of Education to determine school bus replacements based on mileage, safety, condition, available funds, and unique circumstances, excluding age as a consideration factor.

Provides financial bonuses to local school administrative units for operating buses beyond standard mileage: $2,000 bonus for buses operated 250,000-300,000 miles and $5,000 bonus for buses operated 300,000+ miles before replacement.

Allows local school administrative units to use bonus funds for additional maintenance costs of higher-mileage buses or any other school purpose.

Expresses legislative intent to appropriate sufficient funds to replace 15% of buses exceeding 200,000 miles, all buses at 250,000-300,000 miles identified for replacement, and all buses at 300,000+ miles, plus funding for bonuses.

Becomes effective July 1, 2013, and requires school bus appropriations to remain in a reserve account rather than reverting to the General Fund.