Schools; require carbon monoxide detectors in all.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joseph Thomas

Expands multifunction school-activity bus use to grades 7-12 for curriculum- and career-related activities (colleges, job sites, fairs), with a driver permit and insurance required.

Died In Committee

#appropriations #education

Purpose / Intent

SB 2623 would expand and clarify when school districts may use multifunction school‑activity buses (MFSABs) to transport students and make conforming changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code. The bill aims to broaden allowable uses of MFSABs for curriculum- and career‑related activities and to lower the grade threshold for eligible students.

Key provisions

Expands student eligibility for MFSAB transport:

Permits students in grades 7 through 12 (previously grades 9–12 in some provisions) to be transported in a multifunction school‑activity bus (MFSAB) for curriculum‑ or career‑related activities.

Broadens allowable destinations/purposes:

Explicitly allows MFSAB use for transportation to colleges and universities, student job sites developed through school partnerships, college/career fairs, trade‑skill development sites, regional safe schools or other school‑sponsored alternative learning programs, and other experiences the school determines will contribute to college or career readiness.
Continues to exempt regular home‑to‑school bus routes from MFSAB use under these provisions.

Driver and safety requirements:

An MFSAB used under this section may not transport students unless the driver holds a valid school bus driver permit.
Use remains subject to specified Illinois Vehicle Code requirements (references include Sections 12‑707.01, 13‑101, and 13‑109).

Insurance and fiscal provisions for districts:

School districts furnishing transportation under this authority must insure against loss or liability resulting from maintenance, operation, or use of the vehicle.
Vehicles used under this section may claim a depreciation allowance of 20% over 5 years as provided in Section 29‑5 of the School Code.

Conforming amendments to the Illinois Vehicle Code:

Updates the definition and statutory positioning of “multifunction school‑activity bus” (MFSAB) in Sections 1‑148.3a‑5 and 11‑1414.1 to reflect the expanded uses and eligibility.

Who would be affected

School districts and operators that provide student transportation (policy, budgeting, vehicle use).

Students in grades 7–12 who could access expanded curriculum‑ or career‑related transportation opportunities.

School bus drivers (requirement for valid school bus driver permit).

Local insurers and school finance offices (insurance obligations and depreciation/tax treatment).

Procedural / timeline notes

Introduced by Sen. Laura M. Murphy on March 13, 2025.

Recorded committee and floor activity in April–May 2025 (including passage in the Senate on April 29, 2025, and subsequent referral to Intergovernmental Affairs).

Committee action in May 2025 included a substitute and favorable report, but the bill ultimately did not become law and is listed as Died In Committee.

Fiscal/operational considerations

The bill contains no specific appropriation amounts.

Potential district impacts include administrative and insurance costs, driver training/certification costs, and possible fleet/policy adjustments. The 20% over‑5‑years depreciation allowance may affect district accounting for MFSAB purchases.

Source references: Amends 105 ILCS 5/29‑6.3 (School Code) and 625 ILCS 5/1‑148.3a‑5 and 625 ILCS 5/11‑1414.1 (Illinois Vehicle Code) as shown in the bill text.

Bill