SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5334

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Bauer, Conner, Stratton, Kiskaddon, Owen, Warnke, McCaslin, Metcalf, Benitz and Nelson)

Authorizing the transportation of private school students on public school buses.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1987; March 2, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5334 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Benitz, Smitherman, Warnke.

Senate Staff:Don Bennett (786-7424)

                  March 13, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, JANUARY 22, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1981 the Legislature authorized school districts to allow children attending approved private schools to ride public school buses to and from school.  The following three conditions must be met in providing such transportation: (1) school boards are not required to alter bus routes or stops established for public school students; (2) private school students are allowed to ride on a seat-available basis only; and (3) school boards must charge a fee to reimburse the district for the actual per seat cost of providing transportation to private school students.

SUMMARY:

School districts are required to consider requests for private school students to ride a school bus to and from school.  The school board may approve such requests so long as the conditions provided by current law are satisfied.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Carl Fynboe, President, Washington Federation of Independent Schools