H-4567.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2923

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State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By Representatives Backlund, Lambert, Koster and Hymes

Read first time 01/26/96.  Referred to Committee on Appropriations.

Establishing the school bus improvement grant program.

     AN ACT Relating to school bus improvement; adding a new section to chapter 28A.160 RCW; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.160 RCW to read as follows:

     (1) Certain school districts may have unusual requirements for either bus specifications or equipment options or both that exceed current state bid standards.  To address this, the school bus improvement grant program is established.  The purpose of the program is to provide grants for school districts if a district can demonstrate that, due to terrain, climate, or road conditions, the district requires buses with features in addition to the minimum requirements under RCW 28A.160.195.

     (2) Districts purchasing buses during calendar year 1996 may apply to the superintendent of public instruction for the funds.  The superintendent, in consultation with the regional transportation coordinators of the educational service districts, shall establish an application and award process that considers district requests in terms of the most current industry performance specifications for either student transportation vehicles or related vehicle equipment or both relative to the identified district need in excess of state standards.

     (3) The superintendent, in consultation with the regional transportation coordinators of the educational service districts, shall establish a process that provides for initial award of funds within sixty days of the effective date of this section and if there is an appropriation specifically referencing this grant program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The sum of one million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction solely for the school bus improvement grant program specified in this act.

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