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Bill

S 3328

Authorizes school districts to submit an opt-out waiver to the commissioner of education authorizing such districts to opt-out of certain zero-emission school bus requirements

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Gallivan and 8 co-sponsors

Allows NY school districts to apply for opt-out waivers from certain zero-emission bus rules; the Education Commissioner reviews and decides each waiver.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · S 3328

Summary of Senate Bill S 3328

Purpose and intent

S 3328 would authorize New York school districts to submit an opt-out waiver to the Commissioner of Education, enabling districts to opt out of certain zero-emission school bus requirements. The bill centers on creating a formal mechanism for districts to request relief from specific mandates related to zero-emission bus obligations, subject to review and approval by the education commissioner.

Key provisions

  • Authorization of opt-out waivers: School districts would be allowed to submit an opt-out waiver to the Commissioner of Education for specific zero-emission bus requirements.
  • Role of the commissioner: The commissioner would review and decide on waiver requests. The bill would govern the criteria, process, and outcomes of such decisions (details on criteria and duration are not provided in the available summary and would be defined in the bill text).
  • Scope: The waiver mechanism is limited to “certain zero-emission school bus requirements” as identified in the bill.

Affected parties

  • Primary beneficiaries: School districts, which would have a formal path to request relief from particular zero-emission bus mandates.
  • Education system: The Commissioner of Education would play a central role in evaluating and granting waivers.
  • Students and communities: Potential changes in bus procurement, fleet composition, and related operating costs, depending on waiver decisions and implementation outcomes.
  • Environmental goals: Possible impact on state zero-emission targets if waivers are granted broadly or in large numbers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Referred to the Senate Education Committee (infrastructure and policy review stage).
  • Introduced: January 24, 2025.
  • Legislative actions: The bill shows two entries for “Referred to Education” on the same date, indicating initial committee assignment.
  • Next steps (typical path): If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee hearings and amendments, potential floor votes in the Senate, and then consideration by the Assembly as part of the regular legislative process. Final enactment would require passage by both houses and gubernatorial signature or veto override, depending on the state’s procedures.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Joseph A. Griffo
  • Co-sponsors: Mario Mattera; Patrick M. Gallivan; Mark Walczyk; Dan Stec; Dean Murray; James Tedisco; Alexis Weik; Peter Oberacker

Related bills

  • S 8524 (prior-session)
  • A 2005 (companion)
  • A 2005 (companion)

Notes and open questions

  • Specific zero-emission requirements targeted by the opt-out are not enumerated here; the bill text would clarify which provisions are subject to waivers.
  • Criteria for approval, limits on the number or duration of waivers, renewal processes, and any conditions or reporting requirements are not detailed in the provided summary and would be crucial for understanding practical impact.
  • Fiscal implications (costs of compliance vs. savings from waivers) are not specified and would depend on the waivers granted and district actions.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize environmental or fiscal impacts, or compare it to the related bills to illustrate potential policy pathways.

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

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