AN ACT PROVIDING FUNDING FOR BUS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Geraldo Reyes

Provides designated state funding to support student bus transportation, aiming to improve school attendance and access to education.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Appropriations

#children #masstransit #students

Overview

HB 5491 is a proposed act aimed at establishing funding for bus public transportation specifically serving students. The bill is categorized under Children, Mass Transit, and Students and is designed to address student access to transportation as a factor in educational participation and attendance. A companion bill exists in the Senate: SB 2950.

Purpose and intent

To provide designated funding to support bus public transportation for students.

The bill suggests that public transit services would be funded to improve students’ ability to attend school, participate in programs, and access educational opportunities.

As a funding measure, it is typically intended to be incorporated into the state’s appropriations process.

Key provisions (based on available information)

The bill would authorize or appropriate funds to support bus transportation for students. Specific mechanisms (e.g., direct grants, subsidies to transit agencies, or vouchers) are not provided in the information available here.

Eligible beneficiaries would likely include students who rely on bus transportation to attend public or participating private schools, colleges, or school-related programs, though exact eligibility criteria would be defined in the full text.

Administrative details (administering agency, grant structure, reporting, accountability, and sustainability of funding) would be outlined in the bill’s provisions.

Note: The precise amounts, eligibility rules, duration of funding, geographic scope (statewide vs. targeted regions), and oversight requirements are not included in the provided materials and would be defined in the bill text.

Affected entities

Students who use or would use bus public transportation to attend school or school-related activities.

Public transit agencies or providers that operate student-focused routes or discounts.

School districts or educational institutions that depend on bus transportation services for students.

State or local government bodies responsible for budgeting and oversight of transportation funding.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: March 14, 2025.

Legislative actions:

2025-03-14: Filed.
2025-04-07: Read first time.
2025-04-07: Referred to Elections.
2025-01-21: Referenced to Joint Committee on Appropriations (indicating a prior or parallel referral to appropriations, consistent with funding bills).

Status: Referred to the Joint Committee on Appropriations, suggesting the bill is moving through the budgetary oversight process.

Related legislation: Companion bill SB 2950.

Next steps and considerations

The full text would clarify funding amounts, eligibility criteria, duration, and administration.

Stakeholders may seek details on how funds would be allocated (statewide vs. targeted), performance metrics, and reporting requirements.

If enacted, implementation would depend on the state budget process and any adjustments proposed during appropriations review.

This summary reflects the information available from the bill’s public record and outlines the bill’s intent, scope, and procedural status without speculative details.

Bill