Pupil transportation: schoolbuses: zero-emission vehicles: scrapping.

Assembly Member Soria's proposal modifies California's zero-emission school bus program by creating an exemption to current vehicle scrapping requirements. Under existing law, school districts receiving state funding to replace internal combustion engine buses with zero-emission vehicles must scrap the retired buses within 24 months. The new legislation would allow buses 25 years old or younger to be transferred to qualifying frontier school districts rather than being scrapped.

The bill maintains the program's core funding structure, which provides $375 million through the State Air Resources Board for zero-emission school bus purchases and $125 million through the Energy Commission for charging infrastructure over five years beginning in 2023-24. Local educational agencies have until June 30, 2029 to encumber the funds and three fiscal years after receipt to spend them. The State Air Resources Board and Energy Commission must coordinate to offer a unified application process, with priority given to districts serving high percentages of unduplicated pupils, those operating the oldest buses, small and rural districts, and those purchasing buses with bidirectional charging capabilities.