Relates to the availability and purchase of zero-emission school buses

This bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses, defined as electric vehicles powered by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells, starting July 1, 2027. The law mandates that any contractors providing transportation services must also follow this rule when buying new buses and includes provisions requiring the manufacturing and final assembly of these buses and their charging infrastructure to occur within the United States. To support this transition, the bill allows the state commissioner to grant up to 24-month extensions for districts unable to comply due to costs or infrastructure needs, while also requiring a cost-benefit analysis for each district. Additionally, the legislation includes protections for current employees and contractors to prevent job losses or benefits reductions as the fleet changes, and it requires the creation of workforce development plans to manage the transition.