Hawaii House Bill HCR22

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/2/22
• Refer: 3/4/22

Caption

Urging The Department Of Education To Convene A Working Group To Address The State's School Bus Driver Shortage.

Impact

HCR22 emphasizes that the shortage of drivers has a profound impact on student access to education. In 2021, Hawaii's Department of Education reported a shortfall of 100 drivers, which represents over 15% of the total driving positions available. In order to tackle this issue, the bill proposes that the working group not only reviews the current status but also evaluates and recommends actionable solutions, including potential legislative changes that could mitigate this ongoing crisis. The working group is urged to include diverse stakeholders such as education officials, transportation representatives, and contracted transportation companies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to problem-solving.

Summary

HCR22 is a House Concurrent Resolution introduced during the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii in 2022, urging the Department of Education (DOE) to establish a working group aimed at addressing the critical shortage of school bus drivers in the state. The resolution highlights the significant role that school bus services play in ensuring student attendance, particularly for those residing in rural and economically disadvantaged areas. The backdrop of this resolution is the widespread school bus driver shortage affecting the nation, which has worsened since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many drivers either fell ill, were furloughed, or opted to leave the profession altogether. This has resulted in numerous bus routes being suspended in Hawaii, complicating transportation for many families.

Contention

While HCR22 seeks collaborative solutions to the bus driver shortage, it does not outline specific funding mechanisms or immediate incentives to boost recruitment and retention of bus drivers, which may lead to debates on how effectively the proposed working group can achieve its goals. Critics may raise concerns about the sufficiency of the proposed measures and whether they adequately address the root causes of the shortage or merely provide a temporary fix. The urgency of the situation and the proposed report to be submitted before the regular session of 2023 indicates that swift action may be necessary to prevent further disruptions to school transportation services.