Senate Bill S7703

                                BILL NUMBER:S7703

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
in relation to reimbursement of certain transportation expenses of
school districts

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To restore the state's 90 percent reimbursement rate for expenses
incurred by school districts for transporting children with
disabilities.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 requires the commissioner of education to reimburse school
districts 90 percent of their expenses incurred in transporting
children to special education programs pursuant to section 4402 of
the education law.

Section 2 requires the commissioner of education to promulgate any
regulations necessary to implement the act.

Section 3 sets an immediate effective date providing that districts
shall be eligible for 90 percent reimbursement beginning with 2012-13
school year expenses.

JUSTIFICATION:
              

Prior to 1992, state transportation aid was equalized for all school
districts with every school district being reimbursed 90 percent of
their eligible transportation expenses. Since that time however,
transportation reimbursement has been determined by the wealth of the
district and rates vary considerably.

The expenses associated with transporting children with disabilities
to special education programs are disproportionately high.

This measure seeks to reinstate the policy of equalized reimbursement
for the expenses of transporting these particular children. In this
way, our most fragile children will continue to have access to the
programs that best meet their needs without unduly burdening local
taxpayers.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost would not be borne by the state until the 2013-14 state
fiscal year and will depend on a number of factors including: 1) the
number of school districts providing services pursuant to section
4402; 2) the number of children being transported and the respective
expenses for transporting such children; and 3) the difference
between ninety percent and the districts' current rate of
reimbursement.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to expenses
beginning for the 2012-13 school year.