SB3159 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 38447 BDA 68583 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3159

Introduced 2/6/2024, by Sen. Cristina Castro

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Zero Emissions School Bus Funding Program Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency shall administer a Zero Emissions School Bus Funding Program for public schools to acquire funding to transition their school bus fleets to zero-emission fleets. Provides requirements for the Program, as well as factors for the Agency to consider in awarding funds, including demonstrating the ability to deploy the largest number of electric buses feasible, leveraging local, State, and federal funding, as well as incorporating microgrid technology. Authorities the Agency to adopt rules to implement and administer the Act. Defines terms.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Zero Emissions School Bus Funding Program Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Agency" means the Environmental Protection Agency.

"School bus" means a passenger motor vehicle that is designed to carry a driver and more than 10 passengers and that is likely to be mainly or significantly used to transport preprimary, primary, and secondary school students to or from school or an event related to school.

Section 10. Zero Emissions School Bus Funding Program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Agency shall establish and administer, in consultation with the State Board of Education, a Zero Emissions School Bus Funding Program. Public school districts in the State may apply for funding under the Program to transition their school bus fleet to zero-emission fleets. The Program shall have the following provisions:

(1) Public school districts that apply for funding under this Act shall use a competitive procurement process when selecting a bus provider.

(2) Public school districts that are awarded funding under this Act may use the funding provided to procure electric buses and to procure and install charging infrastructure for electric buses.

(3) Public school districts that apply for funding under this Act may apply in collaboration with school bus fleet operators through leases or other relevant agreements.

(4) Vented fuel fired heaters do not make buses ineligible to be zero emissions school buses.

(5) Awards of funding under the Zero Emissions School Bus Funding Program are subject to appropriation.

(b) The Agency shall award funds competitively to a public school district based on the following factors:

(1) The Agency shall give preference to an applicant who demonstrates the ability to deploy the largest number of electric buses feasible, leveraging local, State, and federal funding.

(2) The Agency shall consider the applicant's ability to incorporate microgrid technology into bus deployment.

Section 15. Agency rulemaking. The Agency may adopt rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to implement and administer this Act.

Section 97. Severability. The provisions of this Act are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.