110 HR 6596 IH: Gas Price Relief for Schools Act of U.S. House of Representatives 2008-07-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6596 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 24, 2008 Mr. McNerney (for himself and Mr. Space) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a school bus emergency fuel grant program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Gas Price Relief for Schools Act of 2008.

2.

School bus emergency fuel grant program

(a)

General authority

The Secretary of Transportation may make grants to eligible recipients to assist the recipients in offsetting increases in school bus transportation operating costs attributable to higher fuel prices. (b)

Applications

An eligible recipient seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application that is in such form and contains such information as the Secretary may require. (c)

Criteria for awarding grants

(1)

In general

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall consider the extent to which an eligible recipient has been adversely affected by increases in fuel costs in providing school bus transportation. (2)

Factors

For purposes of paragraph (1), the Secretary, at minimum, shall consider— (A)whether a public school system served by the eligible recipient has implemented cuts to school bus transportation services as a result of increased school bus transportation fuel costs; (B)whether a public school system served by the eligible recipient has implemented changes or cuts in school operations, such as a shorter school week, as a result of increased school bus transportation fuel costs; and (C)the distances traveled by school buses operated by the eligible recipient, particularly for public school systems located in rural areas where school buses travel greater distances to transport students. (d)

Grant allocations

(1)

Solicitation of applicants

The Secretary shall conduct a national solicitation for applications for grants under this section. (2)

Geographic distribution

To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure a broad geographic distribution of grant awards under this section. (3)

Distribution among States

Not to exceed 5 percent of the grants funds awarded under this section in a fiscal year may be awarded to eligible recipients in any State. (e)

Suballocations to private entities

An eligible recipient that receives a grant under this section may allocate all or any portion of the amounts provided under the grant to a private entity providing school bus transportation to a public school system for the eligible recipient on a contract basis. (f)

Definitions

In this section, the following definitions apply: (1)

Eligible recipient

The term eligible recipient means a unit of State or local government responsible for providing school bus transportation to a public school system. (2)

School bus transportation

The term school bus transportation means the transportation of preprimary, primary, or secondary students of a public school system to or from school or an event related to school by a school bus or multifunction school activity bus. (g)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009. Such sums shall remain available until expended .