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SB 5009

Modifying the student transportation allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jess Bateman and 18 co-sponsors

Updates funding, specs, and licensing for non-bus student transport in WA; requires OSPI reporting and fair costs for small-vehicle routes to/from schools.

Effective date 7/27/2025*.
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Bill Summary · SB 5009

Summary — SB 5009 (Chapter 372, Laws of 2025)

Effective date: July 27, 2025 (Governor signed May 20, 2025)

Purpose
- To update Washington’s student transportation statutes so the state allocation, purchasing/reimbursement rules, and some driver requirements explicitly accommodate multiple vehicle types (e.g., school buses, passenger vans, district-owned cars) used to transport K–12 students.

Key provisions
- Transportation allocation (RCW 28A.160.150 / .180)
- State pupil-transportation allocations (STARS/regression-based formula) must be calculated inclusive of all vehicle types used for to‑and‑from school service, not just school buses.
- The distribution formula remains an allocation tool and does not mandate local service levels or vehicle choice.
- Operating costs for eligible student transport should be funded at 100% (or as close as reasonably possible).
- District-owned passenger cars (RCW 46.04.382) used in lieu of buses must be included in passenger counts, average distance calculations, and the allocation determination (rather than reimbursed at the private vehicle rate).

  • Reporting and transparency (RCW 28A.160.170)

    • Districts must report to OSPI three times per year (Oct, Feb, May) including: number of eligible students transported, stop/school locations, and number of miles driven per vehicle type.
    • District financials must separately identify to‑and‑from‑school transport costs, non‑to‑and‑from transport costs, expanded services, and fuel type/quantity.

  • Vehicle categories, purchasing, and reimbursement (RCW 28A.160.195)

    • OSPI (with regional coordinators) will establish minimum “student transportation vehicle” categories, competitive specifications, and total cost‑of‑ownership considerations that apply to vehicles other than traditional school buses.
    • Reimbursement formulas and competitive-quote processes used for buses are revised to apply to these broader vehicle categories.

  • Driver licensing and training

    • The definition of “school bus” under the Uniform Commercial Driver’s License Act is amended to exclude student transportation vehicles with seating capacity of 10 or fewer persons (including driver).
    • Drivers of such small student-transport vehicles are excluded from CDL requirements; they must have the appropriate non‑CDL license for that vehicle.
    • OSPI must develop rules by September 1, 2026, for drivers who transport students in Washington State Patrol‑inspected school vehicles that are not school buses (per adopted amendment).

Who is affected
- School districts and educational service districts (allocation, reporting, vehicle procurement/reimbursement, vehicle replacement planning).
- OSPI (rulemaking, vehicle categories/specs, annual methodology reporting to OFM and legislative committees).
- Drivers and Departments of Licensing (licensing/training distinctions; new OSPI rules for non‑bus inspected vehicles).
- Washington State Patrol (inspection regime already applies to small student transport vehicles).

Procedural / fiscal notes
- No new appropriation in the bill text; a fiscal note was prepared.
- OSPI must report methodology for allocation coefficients to OFM and education/fiscal legislative committees by June 1 each year.
- Bill passed both chambers unanimously and was enacted as Chapter 372, 2025 Laws.

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

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