Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Lake George) joined Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) and other state legislators and district superintendents from the North Country in support of a bill to provide flexibility for rural school districts regarding zero-emission bus mandates.

Currently, Albany is requiring that school districts statewide transition to zero-emission school buses by 2027. With over 700 school districts across New York facing this requirement, Simpson asserts that many rural districts will not be able to meet the mandate due to challenges including costs, limited electrical capacity, driver shortages and adverse weather conditions.

“This mandate simply isn’t feasible for many of our rural school districts,” said Simpson. “We need to give our schools more time and flexibility to address the unique challenges they face—challenges their downstate counterparts may not experience. By allowing districts to apply for a waiver, we can ensure they’re not financially burdened or forced into a transition that isn’t feasible in their communities. We should not be sacrificing resources dedicated to the success of our students for more unfunded mandates from Albany.”

The proposed bill would allow school districts to submit a waiver to the commissioner of education to opt out of the zero-emission school bus mandate. This would provide them with the ability to continue using their current buses or seek alternative solutions until they are better equipped to transition.