SB 1319: Extending School Bus Contracts – 2022

Senate Bill 1319 was introduced in the Senate Education Committee by Senators Lori Den Hartog (R-Meridian) and David Nelson (D-Moscow). The bill would make Idaho school districts eligible for federal funds for electric-powered school buses.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated funds for school districts to add electric buses to their fleets. Some school districts in Idaho contract with private companies to operate their fleet. Idaho Code limits the contract term for a period of five years or less, but the IIJA requires that contracts be longer than five years. This bill simply allows school districts to extend their contracts, making them available for federal funds.