HB 2235

Abstract

Amends the Transportation Article of the School Code. Provides that school boards may enter into contracts for any period of time deemed appropriate by those school boards (rather than for up to 3 years) for transportation of pupils to and from school, except that no contract, inclusive of any proposed renewals, may exceed 10 years (rather than allowing such contracts to be extended for up to 2 additional years by mutual agreement of the parties and thereafter extended on a year-to-year basis by mutual agreement of the parties, unless a school board receives a timely request from another interested contractor that a contract be let by bid). Requires all contracts for a period of time greater than 5 years that do not include the use of electric vehicles for pupil transportation to include a termination option after 5 years. Allows contract opener clauses for any purpose to be included in the contract. Provides that a contract for pupil transportation that utilizes a significant percentage of electric vehicles may be entered into by a school board for up to 15 years if the contract relies on capital or infrastructure purchases or improvements that cannot reasonably be justified in a shorter-term contract.