Article | April 12, 2023
Tracking Electric School Bus State Legislation

In states across the country, legislation to advance the electric school bus transition is being proposed. We’re keeping track.

School bus with blue sky and clouds.

Momentum for electric school buses continues to build nationwide, with states across the country considering legislation to move the electric school bus transition forward. At the Electric School Bus Initiative, we are keeping track of the proposed state legislation for school bus fleet transition targets, in the legislative action tracker below.  

The below tracker captures active bills that propose fleet transition targets for state school bus fleets. Note that this summary is not comprehensive of all of the types of legislation that may impact school buses. The summary for each bill highlights the parts relevant to electric school buses. For more information, please reach out to us at ESBinfo@WRI.org.

State Legislative Tracker: Electric School Bus Fleet Transition Legislation 

 

California

  • AB 579
  • Summary of proposed legislation:
    • Requires all new purchases and contracts to be zero emission vehicles by 2035  
    • Districts may request one 5-year extension under certain conditions  
    • Extends allowable contract lease length for zero emission vehicles 

Hawaii

  • SB 457 
  • Summary of proposed legislation:
    • Beginning from 2023, requires the state to not enter into a school bus contract for a term that extends past 2045, unless the bus is a zero emission bus. 
    • Beginning from 2045, requires the state to enter into a school bus contract only if the bus is a zero emission bus 

Hawaii

  • HB 654 / SB 970   
  • Summary of proposed legislation:
    • Requires the Department of Education to transition to zero emission vehicles for all student transportation by 2035

Illinois

  • HB 2887  / SB 2154 
  • Summary of proposed legislation: 
    • Requires all new school bus purchases and contracts to be electric by 2028  
    • Requires all school buses operating in equity investment eligible communities to be electric by 2030   
    • Requires all school buses operating statewide to be electric by 2035  

Massachusetts

  • HB 3139 / SB 2218 
  • Summary of proposed legislation:
    • Requires all public fleets, including school buses, to be  
      • 50% electric by 2025  
      • 75% electric by 2030  
      • 100% electric by 2035 

Massachusetts

  • HB 3231 / SB 2121
  • Summary of proposed legislation:
    • Public fleet electrification included within broader climate bill  
    • Requires all public fleets, including school buses, to be  
      • 50% electric by 2025  
      • 75% electric by 2027  
      • 100% electric by 2030

Washington

  • HB 1368 / SB 5431   
  • Summary of proposed legislation:
    • Requires that by 2030, 70% of new school bus purchases and contracts must be zero emission vehicles (HB 1368) 
    • Requires that by 2033, all new school bus purchases and contracts must be zero emission vehicles (HB 1368) 
    • Requires that beginning 2035, any new school bus purchases and contracts must be zero emission vehicles (SB 5431) 
    • Allows districts to request a one-term extension up to 5 years under certain conditions
    • Establishes a zero emission school bus grant program to facilitate this transition  

Last updated: April 12, 2023

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