(a) The amount provided for the transportation of school children within the education resource block grant model pursuant to W.S. 21-13-309(m)(v)(E)(I) shall be computed in accordance with this section. (b) There shall be an amount computed for each school district equal to the amount actually expended by the district during the previous school year for: (i) The maintenance and operation of transportation routes for transporting school children to and from school; and (ii) The transportation of students to and from student activities authorized by department of education rules. For the purpose of this paragraph, student activities means athletic and nonathletic activities sanctioned by the Wyoming high school activities association and school sponsored athletic and nonathletic activities in grades preceding high school which directly correspond to those high school activities sanctioned by the Wyoming high school activities association. No reimbursement shall be made for transportation expenses for student activities for expenses for transportation in excess of one hundred fifty (150) miles from the Wyoming border into another state. (c) Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 204, § 4. (d) Repealed By Laws 2004, Chapter 74, § 1. (e) Repealed By Laws 2002, Ch. 76, § 3. (f) The department of education shall adopt necessary rules to implement and enforce state standards established under this section and to administer this section. District expenditures computed under subsection (b) of this section shall not include expenditures for contributions to the Wyoming retirement system exceeding the amount specified in W.S. 21-13- 339 of any member employee's salary. In addition, the department shall, in accordance with procedures prescribed by department rule, establish a base price for each school bus type or other student transportation vehicle type for the applicable fiscal period that complies with minimum state standards for vehicle specifications and equipment. The department shall also establish a process including competitive bidding which guarantees the acquisition of school buses and other student transportation vehicles approved for reimbursement and complying with state minimum standards and district fleet size restrictions at the established base price for the applicable fiscal year. Department rules shall establish appropriate restrictions on how and under which conditions a school district may procure a school bus or other student transportation vehicle to ensure that the procurement method used is the most cost effective. School districts shall notify the department of school bus and other student transportation vehicle needs and requirements for the appropriate fiscal year in the manner and within the times prescribed by department rule, and shall report expenditures and purchases for the applicable reporting period, including vehicles replaced by purchases, as required by department rule. The department shall annually review and conduct audits as necessary of information submitted under this section. As authorized under W.S. 21-13-307(b), the department may correct the information reported by districts under this section as necessary to fairly and accurately reflect the data type, classification and format required to administer this section in accordance with law and department rules. (g) In addition to amounts provided pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, in a manner consistent with department rules, the department shall reimburse each school district for the amount expended for the purchase of school buses and other vehicles used primarily for the transportation of students to and from school and to and from school activities. Amounts provided under this subsection shall be in addition to and shall not be considered in determining the school foundation program amount under the education resource block grant model pursuant to W.S. 21-13-309. Amounts reimbursed under this subsection shall be based upon the base price established by the department under subsection (f) of this section for the student transportation vehicle type and shall be subject to the following: (i) Buses and other vehicles used primarily for student transportation, for which reimbursement is authorized, shall meet state minimum standards for vehicle specifications and equipment and shall be subject to vehicle replacement schedules specified by department rule and regulation; (ii) The number of buses and other student transportation vehicles comprising a district's fleet shall comply with fleet size standards established by rule of the department, which shall be established to ensure safe and efficient student transportation; (iii) In consultation with the pupil transportation committee, the department shall by rule establish a replacement schedule for buses and other student transportation vehicles. The replacement schedule shall establish replacement cycles for mileage and age not less than the applicable national averages for replacement of school buses and other student transportation vehicles; (A) Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 204, § 4. (B) Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 204, § 4. (C) Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 204, § 4. (iv) Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 204, § 4. (v) Reimbursement for the purchase of buses and other student transportation vehicles authorized under this subsection shall be paid by the department not later than three (3) months after the month in which the school district expends the funds for the purchase and shall be in an amount equal to: (A) The base price established under subsection (f) of this section for each school bus or other student transportation vehicle purchased by the district; (B) Repealed by Laws 2026, ch. 82, § 3. (vi) School bus purchases that are fully or partially paid for or rebated under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, 42 U.S.C. § 16131 et seq., or other similar program, shall be made in accordance with department rule and regulation. (h) As used in this section: (i) Repealed by Laws 2026, ch. 82, § 3. (ii) "Pupil transportation committee" means an advisory committee comprised of school district business managers, student transportation program managers and employees, district superintendents and other district personnel organized by the state department of education to assist the department in developing and maintaining state standards for vehicle specifications and equipment, vehicle fleet regulations and vehicle replacement schedules. (j) Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 204, § 4. (k) Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 204, § 4. (m) No district shall purchase a school bus unless it first demonstrates to the department and the department determines that the school district has in good faith attempted to purchase a bus that will be fully or partially paid for or rebated under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, 42 U.S.C. § 16131 et seq., or other similar program. (n) Except as needed to ensure shared services for the purpose of efficiency, educational stability for a child taken into protective custody or pursuant to an agreement under W.S. 21-4-502, no district shall send or arrange to send any bus or other form of transportation into another school district for the purposes of loading or discharging students residing in that district. (o) For school year 2026-2027 only, the department of education shall reimburse each school district for any remaining balance for buses or other student transportation vehicles purchased in accordance with this section prior to July 1, 2026. This subsection is repealed July 1, 2027.
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