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Synopsis As Introduced Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to adopt a policy that prohibits a school bus that is in operation for the purpose of transporting students to or from school or a school-related function or activity from running on idle for more than 10 minutes while the bus is parked. Provides that the policy does not apply when the ambient air temperature is less than 0 degrees fahrenheit. Provides that the policy must require all diesel school buses (i) when in use, to be parked and loaded at least 100 feet from school air-intake systems, unless the school board deems alternative locations block traffic, impair student safety, or are not cost-effective and (ii) when not in use, to be parked in a manner to reduce contamination of school bus cabins and school facilities from diesel engine exhaust fumes. Contains exceptions to these requirements. Requires the policy to provide for climate-controlled waiting areas for school bus drivers. Requires schools to send an annual notice to faculty, staff, and parents concerning the policy. Effective September 1, 2005.
State Mandates Fiscal Note (Illinois State Board of Education)
There appears to be no cost to the school district for implementing this bill. It appears that there would be some savings in fuel costs since the bus would need to be turned off if it were running idle for more than 10 minutes but the savings cannot be quantified. There is some inconvenience to the drivers during frigid weather but the bill requires a policy to allow for a climate-controlled waiting area for the drivers.
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Replaces with the bill as introduced with the following changes. Deletes provisions requiring schools to send a notice of the school bus idling policy annually to all faculty, staff, and parents and requiring schools to provide a climate-controlled waiting area for school bus drivers in extreme cold and hot weather situations. Provides that the policy must allow exceptions to the requirements of the policy when the bus is running in order to power defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary for safety or health considerations of passengers (now, for safety and health considerations). Effective September 1, 2005.
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