BILL ANALYSIS
AB 537
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 537 (Aroner)
As Amended June 2, 1999
Majority vote
EDUCATION 11-4 APPROPRIATIONS 14-7
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Ayes:|Mazzoni, Alquist, |Ayes:|Migden, Cedillo, Davis, |
| |Calderon, Correa, Davis, | |Hertzberg, Kuehl, Papan, |
| |Honda, Leach, Nakano, | |Romero, Shelley, |
| |Scott, Soto, Wildman | |Steinberg, Thomson, |
| | | |Wesson, Wiggins, Wright, |
| | | |Aroner |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Campbell, Baldwin, |Nays:|Brewer, Ashburn, Battin, |
| |Cunneen, | |Pescetti, Maldonado, |
| |Robert Pacheco | |Runner, Zettel |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY : Establishes an alternative formula for funding
home-to-school transportation. Specifically, this bill :
1)Authorizes increased home-to school transportation funding in
1999-2000 for districts meeting all of the following three criteria:
a) Their current home-to-school transportation funding is less
than 15% of approved costs (based on 1997-98 data);
b) At least 50% of their students are eligible for free and
reduced price lunches based on 1997 California Basic Education
Data System (CBEDS) data; and,
c) The number of average daily boardings by district students
utilizing public transit as home-to-school transportation in
1997-98 exceeded 30% of the district CBEDS enrollment.
2)Provides funding for these district(s) home-to-school transportation
approved expenses would be increased to the statewide average per
pupil funding allowance for home-to-school transportation.
3)Provides that this authorization is only operative during those
fiscal years in which funds are appropriated in the Budget Act for
this purpose. However, this bill restricts funding for this purpose
to no more than $500,000.
EXISTING LAW provides that each school district or county office of
AB 537
Page 2
education shall receive a home-to-school transportation allowance in
the amount received in the prior fiscal year, but in no event in
excess of the prior year's approved home-to-school transportation
costs, increased by the amount provided in the annual Budget Act.
Districts must receive an allowance in the prior year in order to
qualify to receive an allowance in the current year.
Home-to-school transportation funding entitlement is based upon a
"snapshot" taken in the early 1980s of existing programs at that time.
A base funding level was established based upon the cost of the
programs for that base year, and has been adjusted over time.
Currently, California school agencies are funded for approximately 53%
of their approved transportation costs.
FISCAL EFFECT : Up to $500,000 annually dependent on a Budget Act
appropriation.
COMMENTS : This bill appears to apply to just one district, the West
Contra Costa Unified School District. At the statewide average of 53%,
the district would have received $1.05 million for home-to-school
transportation in 1997-98, an increase of $819,000 over their actual
allowance of $232,000.
Analysis Prepared by : Hal Geiogue / ED. / (916) 319-2087
FN: 0001691