UT SB0291

Expands state-supported transportation eligibility to students in kindergarten through grade 9 (if in middle school) who must travel hazardous routes to school, regardless of distance from school, in first, second, or third class counties

Defines "hazardous route" as paths requiring students to walk alongside or cross highways with 50+ mph speed limits without separated sidewalks, walk on road shoulders due to absent or inadequate sidewalks, or cross four-lane highways or high-crash intersections

Appropriates $500,000 one-time from the Income Tax Fund for fiscal year 2027 for the "Pupil Transportation - Unsafe Routes" program

Requires school districts receiving designated hazardous route transportation funds to provide transportation to eligible students and respond to parent petitions within 30 days

Allows parents to petition their local school board to designate a specific route as hazardous, with effective date of July 1, 2026