RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 661 (SB 57) 2022 Regular Session McMath
Prior law provided a schedule of compensation rates to be paid to school bus operators for
the transportation of public school students. Provided for varying rates based on distance
traveled and length of bus. Specified that the compensation shall be paid for a minimum of
180 days during a nine-month school year and for the number of days of actual operation of
a summer semester.
New law changes the compensation rates to consider capacity instead of length. Provides a
minimum of $1.4683 per mile of paid mileage for school buses with capacities of 48 or fewer
passengers and a minimum of $1.756 per mile of paid mileage for school buses with
capacities greater than 48 passengers.
New law provides that, for buses equipped with lift and mobility device securement systems,
the manufacturer's rated capacity shall be determined by the rated capacity of a bus of equal
length that is designed to transport only ambulatory passengers.
New law clarifies operators shall be paid for the number of days of actual operation but not
less than 180 days during the school year calendar, as adopted by the public school governing
authority, and the number of days of actual operation during a summer semester.
New law deletes prior law provisions requiring the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education (BESE) to establish a uniform method for computing bus length.
New law defines "paid mileage" as the distance of a bus route beginning when the first
student is picked up and ending when the bus reaches the final student discharge destination
or school on both morning and afternoon routes.
New law requires a public school governing authority to establish supplemental payments
for a school bus operator who is required to purchase certain equipment or supplies related
to transporting students with disabilities or air conditioning equipment.
New law requires the new compensation rates to be implemented beginning with the 2022-
2023 school year.
Effective June 18, 2022.
(Amends R.S. 17:497)