S662 - Charter School Transportation Grant Program

• Creates a Charter School Transportation Grant Program administered by the Department of Public Instruction to reimburse eligible charter schools for student transportation costs.

• Charter schools with at least 50% of students from households at or below the federal free or reduced-price lunch income threshold are eligible for 65% reimbursement of qualifying transportation costs.

• Charter schools with less than 50% of qualifying low-income students are eligible for 25% reimbursement of eligible transportation costs.

• Appropriates $2,500,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund to support the grant program, with applications accepted by December 31 for fall semester costs and June 30 for spring semester costs.

• Department must report annually to the Fiscal Research Division and Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15 on program administration, including funds awarded, number of schools by reimbursement tier, and cost estimates.