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WashingtonSB 50092025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Modifying the student transportation allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students.

Sponsored By: John Braun (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

State covers full cost of school rides

The law pays the full operating cost to transport eligible students to and from school, or as close as possible. This money is on top of basic education funding. The law also funds transportation for students who live inside the state-defined walk area.

Competitive, cleaner school vehicle purchasing rules

Starting September 1, 2026, the state sets student-transport vehicle categories and specs that meet safety rules and aim to lower long‑term costs. The state collects dealer price quotes each year and publishes an accepted list. Districts can buy at those prices or run their own lowest‑price bids; the state reimburses based on the lowest accepted quote per category. The state does not reimburse optional features a district adds. When state rules show zero‑emission vehicles cost no more to own than diesel, reimbursement is limited to zero‑emission vehicles unless an exception is granted. This also applies to vehicles used instead of buses.

New reports and data-driven funding formula

Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, districts must file transportation reports in October, February, and May to keep state money. The State Superintendent uses a statistical formula that includes all vehicle types, counts of basic and special passengers, average distance to school, and number of locations. Students riding in district-owned passenger cars are counted when the school board has reviewed safety and cost. By June 1 each year, the Superintendent sends a report explaining the funding method for the next year.

Simpler licenses for non-bus student drivers

By September 1, 2026, the state sets rules for drivers who use State Patrol‑inspected vehicles other than school buses. A driver who only transports students in those vehicles needs the right regular license for that vehicle, not a commercial driver’s license. The law also says vehicles with 10 or fewer seats and common‑carrier buses are not “school buses.”

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Braun

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adrian Cortes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chris Gildon

    Republican • Senate

  • Curtis King

    Republican • Senate

  • Deborah Krishnadasan

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jeff Wilson

    Republican • Senate

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Warnick

    Republican • Senate

  • Keith Wagoner

    Republican • Senate

  • Leonard Christian

    Republican • Senate

  • Lisa Wellman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Liz Lovelett

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark Schoesler

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul Harris

    Republican • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

  • Shelly Short

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Conway

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Member 27504

    House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 194 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/7/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025*.

    5/20/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 372, 2025 Laws.

    5/20/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/20/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/17/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/17/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/14/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/14/2025Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    4/14/2025Senate

  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/11/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/8/2025Senate

  15. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/8/2025Senate

  16. First reading, referred to Appropriations.

    3/9/2025Senate

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/7/2025Senate

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/7/2025Senate

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/7/2025Senate

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/7/2025Senate

  21. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2025Senate

  22. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/28/2025Senate

  23. WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Early Learning & K-12 Education.

    2/27/2025Senate

  24. Referred to Ways & Means.

    2/6/2025Senate

  25. And refer to Ways & Means.

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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