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HD 913

An Act relative to full funding of regional school district transportation

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 21 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill requiring state full funding of regional school district transportation costs, shifting expenses from municipalities to the state budget.

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Bill Summary · HD 913

Legislative bill overview

HD 913 would require the state of Massachusetts to fully fund transportation costs for regional school districts, shifting the financial burden from local municipalities to the state budget. Currently, regional school districts share transportation costs with their member towns through a formula-based reimbursement system that doesn't cover all expenses.

Why is this important

Transportation represents a significant operational expense for school districts, and incomplete state funding forces local municipalities to make difficult budget choices between transportation and other services. Full state funding could reduce property tax pressure on towns while ensuring more equitable access to school transportation across wealthy and less wealthy districts.

Potential points of contention

  • State budget impact: Shifting full transportation costs to the state requires identifying new revenue sources or reallocating existing education funds, potentially affecting other education priorities
  • Cost estimation uncertainty: The total fiscal impact depends on calculating true transportation costs, which vary by district size, geography, and service models; estimates could significantly underestimate or overestimate actual expenses
  • Regional equity questions: Districts with different transportation needs (rural vs. suburban) may experience different benefit levels, raising fairness concerns about uniform state funding formulas

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

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