Official Text and Analysis.

Provides an alternative student transportation allocation formula and allows expanded transportation services when a school district is providing remote instruction during certain local, state, and national emergencies.

Clarifies that the provisions of the act apply to charter schools and state-tribal compact schools.

Provides that the Public Schools Emergency Transportation Relief Account is a payor of last resort. Requires that charter schools, state-tribal compact schools, and school districts demonstrate that there are no available federal relief funds that can be used to address allowable transportation costs before receiving account expenditures.

Requires that any remaining funds in the Public Schools Emergency Transportation Relief Account at the end of the 2021-23 fiscal biennia must be deposited into the state general fund.

Removes the alternative student transportation allocation formula available when school districts, charter schools, or state- tribal compact schools provide remote instruction during emergencies. Removes language authorizing school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal compact schools to apply for additional safety net funding if they exceed their transportation allocation amount due to offering expanded services. Appropriates $100,000,000 from the general fund to a newly created Public Schools Emergency Transportation Relief Account and authorizes expenditures from the account to backfill reductions in state funding allocations resulting from transportation declines caused by a declared statewide emergency, provided such reductions have not been backfilled through receipt of federal emergency relief funds. Provides that account expenditures must be attributable to documented allowable uses for transportation-related services. Modifies the intent section to align with changes to the bill language. Allows for the Public Schools Emergency Transportation Relief Account to retain its accrued interest.

Prohibits a charter school, state-tribal compact school, or school district from receiving expenditures from the public schools emergency transportation relief account if the school or school district meets the minimum parameters for in-person learning recommended by the Department of Health and does not offer in-person learning at or above the recommended level.

1) Removes the following from the underlying bill: (a) Provisions modifying transportation funding distribution requirements; (b) provisions establishing and relating to the Public Schools Emergency Transportation (Relief Account); and (c) a $100,000,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2021 to the Relief Account from the State General Fund. (2) Allows schools and school districts to receive transportation allocations for transporting students to and from interscholastic and extracurricular activities during a local, state, or national emergency that causes a substantial disruption to full in-person instruction. (3) Modifies intent language.

Modifies intent language and removes the following from the underlying bill: (1) Provisions modifying transportation funding distribution requirements; (2) Provisions establishing and relating to the Public Schools Emergency Transportation (Relief Account); and (3) A $100,000,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2021 to the Relief Account from the State General Fund.

House receded from its original amendment. Passed bill with new amendment..

Senate concurred in House amendment(s).