HB 683: Student Transportation Coordinators; Department of Education; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that school bus service provided by the department of education is essential for getting students to and from school, particularly for students who lack other transportation options or face hardship in obtaining school transportation services due to economic difficulty.  However, chronic bus driver shortages have led to the cancellation or consolidation of many school bus routes, reducing transportation options for families across the State.

     The legislature additionally finds that at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, the department of education reported that among six bus service contractors statewide, an estimated eighty-seven additional drivers were needed to fully staff school bus routes.  The department also noted that over the last school year, one hundred seventy-five school bus drivers have vacated their positions.

     The legislature further finds that in August 2024, the department of education announced plans to temporarily suspend one hundred eight bus routes serving middle and high school students in central Oahu and students of all grade levels on the east side of the island of Hawaii.  The announcement marked the third year in a row that the department has canceled bus services at the start of the school year.

     The legislature also finds that a lack of adequate school bus transportation service exacerbates chronic absenteeism and undermines student achievement, especially in rural, remote, and socioeconomically disadvantaged school communities.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for student transportation coordinators for each county to strengthen student transportation services across the State.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for      full-time equivalent (     FTE) permanent student transportation coordinator positions to strengthen student transportation services across the State; provided that each county shall have one student transportation coordinator.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Student Transportation Coordinators; Department of Education; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for student transportation coordinators positions within the Department of Education to strengthen student transportation services across the State.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that school bus service provided by the department of education is essential for getting students to and from school, particularly for students who lack other transportation options or face hardship in obtaining school transportation services due to economic difficulty.  However, chronic bus driver shortages have led to the cancellation or consolidation of many school bus routes, reducing transportation options for families across the State.

     The legislature additionally finds that at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, the department of education reported that among six bus service contractors statewide, an estimated eighty-seven additional drivers were needed to fully staff school bus routes.  The department also noted that over the last school year, one hundred seventy-five school bus drivers have vacated their positions.

     The legislature further finds that in August 2024, the department of education announced plans to temporarily suspend one hundred eight bus routes serving middle and high school students in central Oahu and students of all grade levels on the east side of the island of Hawaii.  The announcement marked the third year in a row that the department has canceled bus services at the start of the school year.

     The legislature also finds that a lack of adequate school bus transportation service exacerbates chronic absenteeism and undermines student achievement, especially in rural, remote, and socioeconomically disadvantaged school communities.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for student transportation coordinators for each county to strengthen student transportation services across the State.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) permanent student transportation coordinator positions to strengthen student transportation services across the State; provided that each county shall have one student transportation coordinator.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Student Transportation Coordinators; Department of Education; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for student transportation coordinators positions within the Department of Education to strengthen student transportation services across the State.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to student transportation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that school bus service provided by the department of education is essential for getting students to and from school, particularly for students who lack other transportation options or face hardship in obtaining school transportation services due to economic difficulty.  However, chronic bus driver shortages have led to the cancellation or consolidation of many school bus routes, reducing transportation options for families across the State.

     The legislature additionally finds that at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, the department of education reported that among six bus service contractors statewide, an estimated eighty-seven additional drivers were needed to fully staff school bus routes.  The department also noted that over the last school year, one hundred seventy-five school bus drivers have vacated their positions.

     The legislature further finds that in August 2024, the department of education announced plans to temporarily suspend one hundred eight bus routes serving middle and high school students in central Oahu and students of all grade levels on the east side of the island of Hawaii.  The announcement marked the third year in a row that the department has canceled bus services at the start of the school year.

     The legislature also finds that a lack of adequate school bus transportation service exacerbates chronic absenteeism and undermines student achievement, especially in rural, remote, and socioeconomically disadvantaged school communities.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for student transportation coordinators for each county to strengthen student transportation services across the State.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) permanent student transportation coordinator positions to strengthen student transportation services across the State; provided that each county shall have one student transportation coordinator.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Student Transportation Coordinators; Department of Education; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for student transportation coordinators positions within the Department of Education to strengthen student transportation services across the State.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1024

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 683

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 683, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for student transportation coordinators for each county to strengthen student transportation services across the State.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Ulupono Initiative; and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the number of full-time equivalent permanent student transportation coordinator positions to an unspecified number.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 683, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 683, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  570

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 683

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 683 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for student transportation coordinators for each county to strengthen student transportation services across the State.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Ulupono Initiative; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committee finds that school bus service provided by the Department of Education is essential for getting students to and from school, particularly for students who lack other transportation options or face hardship in obtaining school transportation services due to economic difficulty.  However, chronic bus driver shortages have led to the cancellation or consolidation of many school bus routes, reducing transportation options for families across the State.  Your Committee believes that establishing a student transportation coordinator in each county will improve student transportation services and ensure students arrive at school on time to learn.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $400,000 for the establishment of four full-time equivalent permanent student transportation coordinator positions.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 683, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 683, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,