North Country Lawmakers promote bill that would allow school statewide to opt out of zero-emission bus mandate

ALBANY, NY- Assemblyman Robert Smullen is promoting a bill that would ultimately allow school districts across New York to opt-out from the mandate requiring districts to convert to zero-emission bus fleets.

The Assemblyman held a press conference with fellow lawmakers and other officials this week in Albany. “This rushed, complex transition to zero-emission buses is simply not achievable for a significant number of school districts statewide, especially rural districts,” the Assemblyman said.

Listen to our latest on-air segment with Assemblyman Smullen from Monday, February 3, 2025:

Joining the effort is New York State Senator, Joe Griffo. “By allowing school districts to permanently opt out of this unrealistic and unreasonable requirement, we will ensure that they—and not politicians in Albany—are able to decide for themselves if they want to participate in this initiative,” the Senator said.

A bill in both the Senate and the Assembly would authorize school districts to submit a waiver to the commissioner of education allowing them to officially opt out of certain zero-emission school bus requirements being implemented statewide.

With more than 700 school districts in New York state facing full implementation of the zero-emission school bus mandate by July 1, 2027, Smullen asserts the transition to zero-emission buses is not achievable for many rural districts and that many will be unable to overcome the challenges associated with costs, electrical capacity, driver shortages, difficult terrain and weather-related issues.

At the press conference, Smullen, his Republican colleagues in the Assembly and Senate, and representatives from local school districts voiced their concerns, arguing that many school districts will be unable to overcome challenges associated with this legislation.

Smullen warns, if left unaddressed, these barriers will force districts to increase taxes and overspend to be able to meet transition goals, ultimately reducing educational opportunities for students.

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.