ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 120

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 19, 1996

By Assemblywoman WRIGHT

An Assembly Resolution establishing the Assembly Task Force on Courtesy Busing.

Whereas, School districts are required to provide transportation for elementary pupils who live more than two miles from their school and secondary pupils who live more than two and one-half miles from their school; and

Whereas, Since the time those mileage maximums were adopted, new housing developments, new highways, and traffic congestion on older roadways have changed the nature of the conditions encountered by pupils when walking to and from their schools; and

Whereas, While State and local governments can correct some hazardous conditions along roadways, there are many school districts today where transportation should be provided to pupils who do not qualify for school busing and who are forced to walk along a hazardous route; and

Whereas, Because the transportation of pupils who live closer to their schools than the statutory distances permit, commonly known as "courtesy busing," is not mandated, it is not eligible for State transportation aid and may be eliminated if it comes before the Commissioner of Education as the result of a cap waiver request or a defeated budget; and

Whereas, It is both appropriate and imperative that an Assembly task force be established to study the issue of courtesy busing for reasons of safety and to address such problems as defining hazardous routes, designating the routes, and providing the most cost efficient method for a school district or municipality to provide the service when deemed necessary; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. There is established the Assembly Task Force on Courtesy Busing. The task force shall be comprised of seven members of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker thereof, no more than

 four of whom are of the same political party. A chairperson shall be designated by the Speaker, and the task force may appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the task force.

    2. It shall be the duty of the task force to study the issues associated with the courtesy busing of school pupils including, but not limited to, the definition of a hazardous route as it applies to urban, suburban and rural school districts; the process for designating a hazardous route; and the most equitable and cost effective method to provide courtesy busing.

    3. The task force may meet and hold hearings at the place or places it designates during the sessions or recesses of the Legislature and shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of officials and employees of any State department, board, bureau, commission or agency as it may require.

            4. The task force shall issue a report to the Speaker and the General Assembly containing its findings, conclusions and recommendations no later than January 1, 1997.

STATEMENT

    This resolution establishes the Assembly Task Force on Courtesy Busing. The task force would have seven members of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker thereof, no more than four of whom are of the same political party.

    It is the duty of the task force to study the issues associated with the courtesy busing of school pupils including, but not limited to, the definition of a hazardous route as it applies to urban, suburban and rural school districts; the process for designating a hazardous route; and the most equitable and cost effective method to provide courtesy busing.

    The task force is to issue a report to the Speaker and General Assembly no later than January 1, 1997.

Establishes the Assembly Task Force on Courtesy Busing.