HB 582 - School Busing Improvement Act

• Establishes new transportation funding formula for fiscal years 2024-2025 based on statewide cost per student and cost per mile metrics, with multipliers for community schools (1.5x-2.0x) and nonpublic schools (2.0x-3.0x).

• Creates efficiency adjustment payments rewarding districts with higher student-to-bus ratios, calculated as percentage of transportation base payment depending on efficiency index threshold.

• Requires community schools and chartered nonpublic schools to establish start/end times by April 1 and notify districts; allows districts to establish time tier windows and deny transportation if schools refuse to align with available tiers.

• Implements compliance monitoring by Department of Education with daily payment deductions for noncompliance with transportation requirements, including late arrivals, unless extenuating circumstances apply.

• Appropriates $68 million total ($18 million General Revenue Fund for pupil transportation in FY2025; $50 million dedicated purpose fund for school bus purchasing grants in FY2025).