Senate Bill S9946

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Establishes the New York state transportation modernization grant program and the transportation modernization advisory committee; appropriation

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Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Apr 16, 2026	referred to finance

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Appropriations
Laws Affected:: Add Art 73 Part 3-A §§3639 - 3639-d, Ed L

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes the New York state transportation modernization grant program and the transportation modernization advisory committee to provide awards to certain entities for the development of public school transportation.

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9946

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the New
York state transportation modernization grant program and the transpor-
tation modernization advisory committee; and making an appropriation
therefor

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill establishes the New York State Transportation Modernization
Grant Program to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and reliability
of student transportation services in upstate New York.  It also creates
a Transportation Modernization Advisory Committee to oversee implementa-
tion, evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure equitable distribution
of resources.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

* § Section 1 of the bill adds a new Part 3-A to Article 73 of the

Education Law.

* § 3639 defines key terms, including "eligible entity," "parent," and
"grant program."

*§ 3639-a establishes the grant program within the State Education
Department. It allows:

* Parents meet income or transportation eligibility criteria to receive
monthly transportation grants (generally capped at $80, with flexibility
for multiple students).

* Eligible entities (e.g., school districts, charter schools, munici-
palities, and nonprofits) to apply for funding to develop innovative
transportation solutions, including shared services, rideshare partner-
ships, routing efficiencies, and workforce solutions.

§ 3639-b creates a 14-member Transportation Modernization Advisory
Committee to oversee the program, review applications, ensure equitable
prioritization, and issue annual reports.

§ 3639-c establishes an application and evaluation process based on
cost-effectiveness, safety, innovation, and demonstrated need.

§ 3639-d requires reporting from grant recipients to ensure accountabil-
ity and transparency.

Section 2 appropriates $15 million to fund the program.

Section 3 sets the effective date as 90 days after enactment.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Many families face a multitude of transportation challenges across
upstate New York, specifically in rural areas and communities that are
at a great distance from schools or other entities. Challenges can
entail things such as long drives on rural roads, trying to rearrange
work schedules, relying on neighbors or family, and making difficult
decisions on where a child can attend school based solely on transporta-
tion. These challenges can especially affect lower to middle class work-
ing families or those who are navigating through financial hardships.
The Transportation Modernization Grant Program establishes innovative
and reliable transportation methods while allowing children in farther,
more rural areas to receive more opportunities.

School districts and local communities do their best in adapting to
different changes, but they can be constrained by outdated systems, lack
of personnel, and rising economic costs. Pouring into innovative trans-
portation methods will lessen the burden of transportation on the
different entities this bill supports and provides direct financial
assistance to the families. 'Whether it's coordinating routes across
school districts, investing in safe rideshare paltnerships, or address-
ing workforce shortages, this legislation creates space for practical,
community-driven solutions. Additionally, the creation of an advisory
committee ensures that the program is guided by people who understand
the challenges firsthand--parents, educators, logistic and transporta-
tion experts.

This legislation prioritizes low- and moderate income families and
encourages practical, innovative solutions. Each student facing trans-
portation restrictions is entitled to have fair and reasonable access to
school, this program provides aid to those families facing hardships in
regard to transportation. This bill aims to remove any barriers and
support families while modernizing the transportation system.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

This bill includes an appropriation of $15 million from the State's
general fund to support program implementation and grant distribution.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become law. Rulemaking authority is granted to ensure

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9946
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              April 16, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing  the  New
   York  state  transportation modernization grant program and the trans-
   portation modernization advisory committee; and  making  an  appropri-
   ation therefor

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Article 73 of the education law is amended by adding a  new
 part 3-A to read as follows:
                                PART III-A
         NEW YORK STATE TRANSPORTATION MODERNIZATION GRANT PROGRAM
 SECTION 3639.   DEFINITIONS.
         3639-A. NEW   YORK   STATE  TRANSPORTATION  MODERNIZATION  GRANT
                   PROGRAM.
         3639-B. TRANSPORTATION MODERNIZATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
         3639-C. APPLICATION PROCESS.
         3639-D. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
   § 3639. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES  OF  THIS  PART,  THE  FOLLOWING
 TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   1.  "CHARTER  SCHOOL" SHALL MEAN A CHARTER SCHOOL ESTABLISHED PURSUANT
 TO ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER.
   2. "ELIGIBLE ENTITY" SHALL MEAN A COUNTY, CITY,  TOWN,  PUBLIC  SCHOOL
 DISTRICT,  CHARTER  SCHOOL,  CHILD  DAY  CARE AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED BY
 SECTION THREE HUNDRED NINETY OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, BOARD OF  COOP-
 ERATIVE  EDUCATIONAL  SERVICES,  NON-PROFIT  ORGANIZATION,  OR ANY OTHER
 ENTITY DEEMED ELIGIBLE BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
   3. "NEW YORK STATE  TRANSPORTATION  MODERNIZATION  GRANT  PROGRAM"  OR
 "GRANT  PROGRAM" SHALL MEAN THE NEW YORK STATE TRANSPORTATION MODERNIZA-
 TION GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN  SECTION  THIRTY-SIX  HUNDRED  THIRTY-
 NINE-A OF THIS PART.
   4.  "PARENT"  SHALL  MEAN A PERSON IN PARENTAL RELATION TO A CHILD, AS
 THAT TERM IS DEFINED BY SUBDIVISION TEN OF SECTION TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD15578-01-6

 S. 9946                             2
 
   5. "TRANSPORTATION  MODERNIZATION  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE"  OR  "ADVISORY
 COMMITTEE"  SHALL MEAN THE TRANSPORTATION MODERNIZATION ADVISORY COMMIT-
 TEE ESTABLISHED IN SECTION  THIRTY-SIX  HUNDRED  THIRTY-NINE-B  OF  THIS
 PART.
   6.  "UPSTATE  NEW YORK" SHALL MEAN ALL COUNTIES WITHIN THE STATE OTHER
 THAN BRONX, QUEENS, KINGS, NEW YORK, RICHMOND, NASSAU, SUFFOLK AND WEST-
 CHESTER.
   § 3639-A. NEW YORK STATE TRANSPORTATION MODERNIZATION  GRANT  PROGRAM.
 1.    THERE  IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE DEPARTMENT, THE NEW YORK STATE
 TRANSPORTATION MODERNIZATION GRANT PROGRAM TO  IMPROVE  THE  EFFICIENCY,
 ACCESSIBILITY  AND  RELIABILITY  OF  STUDENT  TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN
 UPSTATE NEW YORK.
   2. (A) THE PARENT OF A STUDENT IN UPSTATE NEW YORK MAY  APPLY  TO  THE
 ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  TO  PARTICIPATE  IN  THE  GRANT PROGRAM FOR MONTHLY
 TRANSPORTATION GRANTS NOT TO EXCEED EIGHTY DOLLARS A  MONTH,  EXCEPT  AS
 OTHERWISE  PROVIDED BY PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, IF THE FOLLOW-
 ING CONDITIONS ARE MET:
   (I) THE PARENT'S CHILD OR CHILDREN ATTEND EITHER:
   (A) A PUBLIC SCHOOL; OR
   (B) A CHARTER SCHOOL; AND
   (II) THE PARENT EITHER:
   (A) HAS AN ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THREE HUNDRED
 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, AS ADJUSTED ANNUALLY FOR HOUSEHOLD
 SIZE AND EXPRESSED IN EQUIVALENT ANNUAL SALARY THRESHOLDS; OR
   (B) LIVES WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOUNDARY OF  THE
 SELECTED  SCHOOL  IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, BUT TRANSPORTA-
 TION IS NOT AVAILABLE TO SUCH PARENT'S CHILD PURSUANT TO  SECTION  THIR-
 TY-SIX HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   (B)  SUBJECT  TO REVIEW AND DETERMINATION BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, A
 PARENT TRANSPORTING MORE THAN ONE STUDENT TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL OR  CHARTER
 SCHOOL  MAY APPLY FOR A MONTHLY TRANSPORTATION GRANT IN EXCESS OF EIGHTY
 DOLLARS.
   3. AN ELIGIBLE ENTITY LOCATED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK  MAY  APPLY  TO  THE
 ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  TO  PARTICIPATE IN THE GRANT PROGRAM. SUCH ELIGIBLE
 ENTITIES MAY USE GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS TO  SUPPORT  THE  DEVELOPMENT  AND
 IMPLEMENTATION  OF  INNOVATIONS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION, INCLUD-
 ING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
   (A) TRANSPORTATION RESOURCE SHARING  WITH  NEIGHBORING  PUBLIC  SCHOOL
 DISTRICTS  OR  CHARTER SCHOOLS, INCLUDING THROUGH THE USE OF COORDINATED
 ROUTING, SHARED SERVICES, AND JOINT TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENTS;
   (B) DEVELOPING OR CONTRACTING WITH TRANSPORTATION  NETWORK  COMPANIES,
 AS  SUCH  TERM  IS  DEFINED BY SECTION SIXTEEN HUNDRED NINETY-ONE OF THE
 VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW;
   (C) DEVELOPING OPTIONS FOR REDUCING COSTS AND  IMPROVING  EFFICIENCIES
 WHILE ENHANCING ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION FOR FAMILIES, INCLUDING EXPLOR-
 ING THE USE OF FLEET VEHICLES INSTEAD OF BUSES AND ENGAGING NEIGHBORHOOD
 CARPOOL STRATEGIES;
   (D)  DEVELOPING  AND  IMPLEMENTING  ALTERNATIVE  SOLUTIONS  TO ADDRESS
 TRANSPORTATION PERSONNEL SHORTAGES OR RELATED WORKFORCE CHALLENGES; AND
   (E) CREATING PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER  ELIGIBLE  ENTITIES  TO  OPTIMIZE
 TRANSPORTATION  ROUTES  TO REDUCE STUDENT RIDE TIMES AND ENSURE THE SAFE
 AND EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS TO AND FROM SCHOOL.
   4. GRANTS AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE USED TO  REIM-
 BURSE  OR  SUPPORT  EXISTING TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS, CONTRACTS OR OTHER
 AGREEMENTS BETWEEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC  TRANSPOR-
 TATION ENTITIES.
 S. 9946                             3
 
   5.  ANY  RECIPIENT OF A GRANT AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION THAT IS
 FOUND TO HAVE MISAPPROPRIATED FUNDS SHALL BE TERMINATED FROM  THE  GRANT
 PROGRAM.
   § 3639-B. TRANSPORTATION MODERNIZATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 1. THERE IS
 HEREBY  ESTABLISHED, IN THE DEPARTMENT, THE TRANSPORTATION MODERNIZATION
 ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE,  OVERSIGHT  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS
 REGARDING  THE  IMPLEMENTATION  AND  EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GRANT PROGRAM.
 SUCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF FOURTEEN MEMBERS  APPOINTED  BY
 THE  GOVERNOR  AS  FOLLOWS: (A) THE COMMISSIONER, OR THEIR DESIGNEE, WHO
 SHALL SERVE AS CHAIR; (B) THE COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION,  OR  THEIR
 DESIGNEE;  (C)  TWO  REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS; (D) TWO
 REPRESENTATIVES OF CHARTER SCHOOLS; (E) TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF  LICENSED
 CHILDCARE  PROVIDERS SERVING PUBLICLY FUNDED STUDENTS; (F) TWO REPRESEN-
 TATIVES WITH EXPERTISE IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING OR LOGISTICS; (G)  TWO
 PARENTS OF STUDENTS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE GRANT PROGRAM; AND (H) TWO REPRE-
 SENTATIVES  FROM  A  COMMUNITY-BASED  ORGANIZATION  WITH  EXPERIENCE  IN
 STUDENT TRANSPORTATION ACCESS.
   2. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL:
   (A) REVIEW AND EVALUATE GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATIONS AND  GRANT  PROGRAM
 OUTCOMES;
   (B)  DEVELOP  RECOMMENDATIONS  TO  IMPROVE  TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY,
 REDUCE COSTS AND ADDRESS WORKFORCE SHORTAGES;
   (C) IDENTIFY  BEST  PRACTICES  IN  STUDENT  TRANSPORTATION,  INCLUDING
 THROUGH THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICE MODELS;
   (D)  ENSURE  THAT  GRANT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PRIORITIZES HOUSEHOLDS
 EARNING AT OR BELOW THREE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY  LEVEL;
 AND
   (E)  APPROVE  ADDITIONAL  TRANSPORTATION-RELATED ACTIVITIES CONSISTENT
 WITH THE PURPOSES OF SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED  THIRTY-NINE-A  OF  THIS
 PART.
   3.  THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN AN ADMINISTRA-
 TIVE OFFICE TO REVIEW AND APPROVE OR DENY  GRANT  PROGRAM  APPLICATIONS,
 DISBURSE  AWARD FUNDS TO GRANT PROGRAM RECIPIENTS, AND ENSURE THAT GRANT
 PROGRAM AWARDS ARE USED  FOR  AUTHORIZED  PURPOSES  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
 SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE-A OF THIS PART.
   4.  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  SHALL  SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT BY AUGUST
 FIRST OF EACH YEAR TO THE  GOVERNOR,  THE  TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT  OF  THE
 SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE STATE COMPTROLLER DETAILING
 GRANT   PROGRAM   PERFORMANCE,  EXPENDITURES,  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR
 IMPROVEMENT.  SUCH ANNUAL REPORT SHALL CONTAIN:
   (A) PRACTICES USED BY GRANT PROGRAM RECIPIENTS TO  TRANSPORT  STUDENTS
 TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS;
   (B)  A  LIST  OF GRANT PROGRAM RECIPIENTS CONTAINING THE AWARDED GRANT
 AMOUNT AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT; AND
   (C) THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED BY EACH GRANT PROGRAM RECIPIENT.
   5. THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF  TRANSPORTA-
 TION  AND  THE  ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SHALL PROMULGATE ANY RULES AND REGU-
 LATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PART.
   6. THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF  TRANSPORTA-
 TION AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SHALL ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN THE ADMIN-
 ISTRATION  OF  THE  GRANT  PROGRAM  BY  PUBLICLY REPORTING GRANT PROGRAM
 AWARDS,  PARTICIPATING  ENTITIES,  AND  ANY  OUTCOMES  RELATED  TO  COST
 SAVINGS, EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, AND STUDENT ACCESS.
   §  3639-C. APPLICATION PROCESS. 1. ANY PARENT OR ELIGIBLE ENTITY SEEK-
 ING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRANT PROGRAM SHALL SUBMIT AN  APPLICATION  TO
 THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE IN A FORM AND MANNER DESIGNATED BY SUCH COMMIT-
 S. 9946                             4
 
 TEE.  EACH APPLICATION SHALL CONTAIN AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THE APPLICANT
 PROPOSES TO USE THE AWARDED GRANT TO:
   (A)  IMPROVE  ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING A PUBLIC
 SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL; AND
   (B) SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION INNOVATIONS AND EFFICIENCY SOLUTIONS.
   2. THE COMMITTEE SHALL RANK  APPLICATIONS  FOR  GRANT  PROGRAM  AWARDS
 BASED  UPON  COST  EFFECTIVENESS,  STUDENT  SAFETY,  INNOVATION, AND THE
 DEMONSTRATED NEED OF AN APPLICANT.
   § 3639-D. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. A RECIPIENT OF A  GRANT  AWARD  MADE
 PURSUANT  TO SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE-A OF THIS PART SHALL
 SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN A FORM  AND  MANNER  DESIG-
 NATED  BY SUCH COMMITTEE. SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFOR-
 MATION:
   1. THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED BY THE GRANT PROGRAM  AWARD  AND  THE
 EXPENDITURE PER STUDENT;
   2.  THE  GEOGRAPHIC  AREA SERVED BY THE GRANT PROGRAM AWARD, INCLUDING
 THE GEOGRAPHIC DISTANCE COVERED IN TOTAL MILEAGE;
   3. AN ACCOUNTING OF THE USE OF GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS;
   4. THE INVOLVEMENT BY STAKEHOLDERS, IF APPLICABLE; AND
   5. ANY OTHER INFORMATION AS THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE DEEMS NECESSARY.
   § 2. The sum of fifteen million  dollars  ($15,000,000),  or  so  much
 thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of
 education out of any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to
 the  credit of the local assistance account, not otherwise appropriated,
 and made immediately available for the sole purpose of administering the
 transportation modernization  grant  program  to  assist  public  school
 districts,  charter schools and certain eligible entities with moderniz-
 ing transportation services, pursuant to part 3-A of article 73  of  the
 education law, as added by section one of this act. Such moneys shall be
 payable  on  the audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certi-
 fied or  approved  by  the  commissioner  of  education  in  the  manner
 prescribed by law.
   §  3.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
 this  act  on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
 on or before such effective date.

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Senate Bill S9946

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

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2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

Kevin S. Parker

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Actions

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9946 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments