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HD 1793

An Act regarding school transportation funding

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donnie Berthiaume and 5 co-sponsors

HD 1793 - An Act regarding school transportation funding OverviewBill Number: HD 1793 Title: An Act regarding school transportation fundingStatus: Proposed billIntroduced: Novembe

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Bill Summary · HD 1793

HD 1793 - An Act regarding school transportation funding

Overview

Bill Number: HD 1793
Title: An Act regarding school transportation funding
Status: Proposed bill
Introduced: November 29, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this bill is to increase and stabilize state funding for school transportation services across Massachusetts. The legislation aims to address longstanding concerns about underfunded and unreliable transportation, which has created significant challenges for school districts, families, and students - particularly in rural and low-income communities.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes a new "School Transportation Trust Fund" to provide dedicated, reliable funding for school bus operations and related services
  • Increases the state's annual contribution to school transportation by $75 million, phased in over 3 years
  • Requires the state to cover at least 75% of eligible school transportation costs, up from the current 50% reimbursement rate
  • Mandates annual cost-of-living adjustments to the transportation funding formula to keep pace with inflation
  • Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop new efficiency and sustainability standards for school bus fleets

Affected Parties and Impacts

This bill would have a significant impact on all 400+ school districts in Massachusetts, providing them with more predictable and robust funding to maintain and improve their transportation services. It would particularly benefit lower-income communities that have struggled to afford adequate busing for students.

Families with school-aged children would also see benefits, with more reliable and accessible transportation options to get their kids to and from school. This could improve attendance rates and reduce barriers to educational opportunities, especially for disadvantaged students.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

HD 1793 was introduced in the Massachusetts House of Representatives on November 29, 2025 and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Education for initial review. The committee is expected to hold public hearings on the bill in early 2026, after which they will decide whether to advance it for further consideration by the full legislature.

If passed by the House and Senate, the bill would then go to the Governor's desk for signature or veto. Assuming it is signed into law, the new school transportation funding provisions would be phased in over a 3-year period starting in the 2027-2028 school year.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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