Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amend and/or add new sections to chapter 392-141 WAC, Transportation—State allocation for operations; chapter 392-142 WAC, Transportation—Replacement and depreciation allocation; chapter 392-143 WAC, Transportation—Specifications for school buses; chapter 392-144 WAC, School bus driver qualifications; and chapter 392-145 WAC, Transportation—Operation rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: E2SHB 1368 (chapter 345, Laws of 2024); ESSB 5009 (chapter 372, Laws of 2025); RCW 28A.150.290, 28A.160.210, and 46.61.380.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) is considering rule making concerning student transportation to align with E2SHB 1368 (2024) related to the total cost of ownership for zero emission school buses and diesel school buses. The rule making would also align with ESSB 5009 (2025), which relates to the transportation of students in a Washington state patrol-inspected school vehicle other than a school bus; adding vehicles other than school buses to the student transportation allocation reporting system formula; and changes to school bus categories, specifications, depreciation, and driver training requirements. Additionally, amendments to school bus driver qualifications would clarify procedures and provide additional guidance to school districts and school bus drivers.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington state department of ecology and Washington state patrol.

Process for Developing New Rule: Early solicitation of feedback and recommendations concerning new or amended rules, and consideration of comments and recommendations in the course of drafting rule language.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Patti Enbody, Director, Student Transportation, OSPI, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-725-6122, TTY 360-664-3631, email STrulechange@k12.wa.us, website ospi.k12.wa.us.