Home-to-school transportation: funding.

Existing law authorizes school district governing boards to provide for the transportation of pupils to and from school whenever, in the judgment of the governing board, the transportation is advisable and reasons exist therefor. Existing law also authorizes school district governing boards to purchase or rent and provide for the upkeep, care, and operation of vehicles, or contract and pay for the transportation of pupils to and from school by common carrier or municipally owned transit system, or contract with and pay responsible private parties for the transportation. This bill would, commencing with the 2012–13 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, prohibit the Legislature from reducing funding for home-to-school transportation below the amount established in the Budget Act of 2011. The bill would also express legislative findings and declarations relating to the provision of home-to-school transportation by school districts, and would express legislative intent to fund home-to-school transportation at the level approved in the Budget Act of 2011.