LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2754

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

DATED: SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis:

Directs Commissioner of Education to study safety of school bus passengers in certain emergency situations, including school bus accidents.

Type of Impact:

Increased State Cost

Agencies Affected:

Department of Education,  New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Division of Highway Traffic Safety, Division of State Police, and Office of Homeland Security

 

 

Office of Legislative Services Estimate

Fiscal Impact

FY 2019 

 

State Cost

Up to $500,000

 

 

 

 

·         The bill provides a broad scope of areas to investigate in the required study which may require the agencies to hire an outside entity to perform the research, such as a University or research institute.  Depending upon how the agencies structure a potential research contract, the cost of the study can vary.  The cost will also be determined to some degree by the bids submitted by potential research partners, and the capacity of those researchers.  This uncertainty makes it difficult to narrow in on a specific estimate.  The bill only provides 120 days to conduct and finalize the research, which will play a role in limiting overall costs and scope.

·         A review of past studies and reports generated by State agencies that have investigated statutory and regulatory requirements and policies and procedures have generally ranged from $50,000 to $500,000.  It is reasonable to expect this study to cost a similar amount, but towards the higher end of the range given that the study is broad in its scope of safety topics.

 

BILL DESCRIPTION

 

      This bill directs the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Superintendent of the Division of State Police, the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, and the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, to study: the safety of school bus passengers involved in emergency situations, including, but not limited to, school bus accidents, such as head-on, rear-end, and side-impact collisions, and situations where the school bus may roll over; safety technologies, including, but not limited to, speed restrictors, automatic braking, electronic stability control, and event data recorders, that are available in newly manufactured school buses or may be installed in school buses after manufacture; and the qualifications for school bus drivers, including, but not limited to, age, physical fitness requirements, and necessary experience.  The study is to include an evaluation of the statutory and regulatory requirements relating to school bus safety, the oversight of school bus operations, including, but not limited to, maintenance of vehicles, school bus drivers qualifications, and audits of school districts and contractors, and the current policies, plans, and procedures implemented by school districts.

 

 

FISCAL ANALYSIS

 

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

 

      None received.

 

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

 

      The study required in this bill is likely to cost up to $500,000.  The bill only provides 120 days to conduct and finalize the research, which will limit total costs and scope.  While the scope of research required under the bill is very broad, the capacity of research institutions may be limited, so the study is likely to be labor intensive during the timeframe provided, and the research design will need to balance the depth of the research requirements against the deadline.  There are a large number of different local entities carrying school children, so there may be a significant number of local policies and procedures to review.  Additionally, the area of traffic safety and emergency preparedness is a very large research and policy area, and the bill even includes prospective and new technologies.  It is likely the case that the agencies do not have the capacity to conduct this research internally, and will need to contract with an outside entity, such as University or research institute to conduct the study.  The cost of that study will depend upon the amount bid by these entities, and the design of the research proposal which will be determined by the Commissioner of Education after the bill has been enacted.

      A review of some recent research study contracts issued by State agencies shows that the potential cost of these studies can vary greatly, with contracts costing between $50,000 and $500,000.  It is likely that the costs of this study will fall in that range.  Given the wide scope of the research, it is expected that the cost will trend towards the upper end of that range.  Costs may increase further if the study needs to be expedited as a result of the deadline.  Costs also may be reduced if the depth of the study is limited in order to meet the scope and deadline demands of the bill within the capacity of the bidding research institutions.

 

Section:

Authorities, Utilities, Transportation and Communications

Analyst:

Patrick Brennan

Lead Fiscal Analyst

Approved:

Frank W. Haines III

Legislative Budget and Finance Officer

 

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).