SCHOOL BUSES; PUPIL TRANS. ACT                                                        S.B. 661 & 915:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bills 661 and 915 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Tom Casperson

Committee:  Transportation

CONTENT

Senate Bill 611 would amend the Pupil Transportation Act to do the following:

-- Require the Superintendent of Public Instruction to approve all training programs a person in charge of school bus operations at a school must attend.

-- Require all training programs to be provided by an approved educational agency.

-- Allow a school bus to transport attendees, instead of members, of a nonprofit organization's activity, event, or outing.

-- Delete a provision prohibiting a driver from being closer than three seat positions to radio speakers.

-- Revise a provision that allows a motor carrier certified by the State Transportation Department using a motor bus for school-related activities to be painted in the colors and design specified for a school bus.

-- Revise a provision about how a bus driver must receive or discharge pupils from the bus.

Senate Bill 915 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to specify that the maximum total outside body width of a school bus could not exceed 102 inches, excluding an appurtenance; and exempt school buses from seasonal load restrictions.

MCL 257.1811 et al. (S.B. 661)                                   Legislative Analyst:  Drew Krogulecki

       257.717 & 257.722 (S.B. 915)

FISCAL IMPACT

Senate Bill 661 would have minimal to no fiscal impact on the Department of Education and local school districts. Requiring the Department to approve all school bus training programs would add minimal administrative expenses, which would likely be within current appropriations. Local school districts would experience minimal to no fiscal impact related to updating school bus policies and training. Also, school districts could generate additional revenue by allowing the use of school buses to transport all attendees of nonprofit organization activities, and collecting additional transportation fees.

Senate Bill 915 would have no fiscal impact on the State and could have a minimal negative fiscal impact on local government. The bill could reduce the number of civil infractions for violations of the body width and seasonal load restrictions, although there is no way to know if that would be the case. A reduction in civil infraction revenue would reduce revenue dedicated to public libraries.

Date Completed:  4-30-18                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  Ryan Bergan

Cory Savino

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.