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.