SMART SCH. BUS SAFETY PILOT/CERTAIN COUNTIES.

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View NCGA Bill Details2021
House Bill 256 (Public) Filed Wednesday, March 10, 2021
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE SMART SCHOOL BUS SAFETY PILOT PROGRAM IN CERTAIN COUNTIES.
Intro. by Strickland, Bell, Lambeth, D. Hall.

Status: Re-ref Com On Appropriations (House action) (Apr 20 2021)

SOG comments (1):

Identical bill

Identical to S 305, filed 3/16/21.

H 256

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 20 2021 - View Summary

    House committee substitute amends the 1st edition as follows. 

    Expands the Smart School Bus Safety Pilot Program (program) to be established by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), now providing for 21 (was 17) authorized local school administrative units to participate in the program, adding Burke County Schools, Chatham County Schools, Iredell-Statesville Schools, and Transylvania County Schools. Exempts the selection of qualifying vendors to contract with authorized units from the requirements of GS 115C-240(d) (regarding State Board of Education assistance with school bus operation). Increases the appropriation from the General Fund to DPI for 2021-22 from $11,039,330 to $13,752,000 to establish the program. Revises the allocations to be made in specified amounts to each unit authorized to participate in the program, as revised. 


  • Summary date: Mar 10 2021 - View Summary

    Directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to establish the Smart School Bus Safety Pilot Program (program) with up to 17 authorized local school administrative units, beginning with the 2021-22 school year and ending on or before January 1, 2025. Requires participating units to contract with qualifying vendors to provide technology and services for student transportation. Allows DPI to authorize a replacement unit with similar student population to participate in the program in the event an authorized unit elects not to participate. Provides ten minimum requirements for the technology and services provided, including improving overall communications and reporting on school buses, and enabling GPS tracking of school buses. Details requirements and contingencies of participation, including requiring the outfitting of school buses designed to transport children with disabilities as appropriate, providing that hardware becomes the property of the unit at the program's conclusion, and requiring that the technology be used through at least the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year. 

    Requires DPI to annually report, beginning July 1, 2022, to the specified NCGA committees and division. Details report requirements. 

    Appropriates $11,039,330 from the General Fund to DPI for 2021-22 to establish the program. Allocates the funds in specified amounts to each unit authorized to participate in the program. 

    Effective July 1, 2021.