HCS HB 1180 -- SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

SPONSOR:  Baker, 123 (Corcoran)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Special
Committee on Student Achievement and Finance by a vote of 8 to 0.

This substitute allows school districts that can demonstrate
certain unsafe traffic conditions to provide transportation to
students who live less than one mile from school without
incurring an administrative penalty.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that especially in urban areas, many
students live less than a mile from school and face dangerous
situations on the way to school.  An administrative penalty is
imposed if a district has more than 12% of its ridership carried
for less than a mile, even if the bus has empty seats.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Corcoran; Dr. Paul
Doerrer and Doug Baum, Ritenour School District; Missouri
National Education Association; Missouri School Boards'
Association; Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis;
and Missouri Federation of Teachers and School-Related Personnel.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say the penalty was
imposed to diminish the effect on overall transportation funding
of students riding the bus short distances.

Others testifying on the bill was Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:42 am