81R5957 CAS-D
By: Miklos H.B. No. 2648
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to taking into account the cost of fuel in establishing the
transportation allotment for school districts and counties
operating public school transportation systems.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 42.155, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as
follows:
(c) Each district or county operating a regular
transportation system is entitled to an allotment based on the
daily cost per regular eligible student of operating and
maintaining the regular transportation system and the linear
density of that system. In determining the cost, [the commissioner
shall give consideration to] factors affecting the actual cost of
providing these transportation services in each district or county
shall be taken into account including, as determined under
Subsection (c-1), any increase in the price of gasoline, diesel, or
other fuel needed for the transportation system. The average
actual cost is to be computed by the commissioner [and included for
consideration by the legislature in the General Appropriations
Act]. The allotment per mile of approved route may not exceed the
amount set by appropriation.
(c-1) For purposes of Subsection (c), in establishing the
allotment per mile of approved route, the cost of gasoline, diesel,
and other fuels shall be biennially adjusted for any increases in
the cost of those fuels as reflected in the Texas consumer price
index, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United
States Department of Labor, as follows, whichever is greater:
(1) the monthly average percentage increase in the
cost of fuel during the 12-month period ending on December 31 of
each even-numbered year; or
(2) the highest three-month rolling average
percentage increase during the 12-month period ending on December
31 of each even-numbered year.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.