2016 Arkansas Code
Title 6 - Education
Subtitle 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education Generally
Chapter 19 - Transportation
§ 6-19-128. Compressed Natural Gas School Bus Pilot Program

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Compressed natural gas" means a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, or liquid propane gas that is:

(A) Composed primarily of methane; and

(B) Compressed to less than one percent (1%) of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure;

(2) "Compressed natural gas school bus" means a school bus powered by compressed natural gas that is not owned by a school district before its participation in the Compressed Natural Gas School Bus Pilot Program; and

(3) "Qualified applicant" means a school district that applies to the Compressed Natural Gas School Bus Pilot Program and that meets the qualifications under subsection (c) of this section.

(b) (1) The Compressed Natural Gas School Bus Pilot Program is created for the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years to provide compressed natural gas school buses to four (4) public school districts.

(2) Each congressional district in the state may have one (1) public school district participating in the program.

(3) Each school district in the state may apply to become a participating school district in the program.

(4) If more than one (1) school district from a congressional district applies to the program, the participating district will be selected by random drawing from all qualified applicants submitted for a congressional district.

(5) The Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall run the program for its term.

(c) (1) (A) Each public school district participating in the program shall be provided ten (10) compressed natural gas school buses.

(B) The school buses provided under the program shall be purchased by the division based upon specifications and requirements determined by the division.

(2) To qualify for the grant under subdivision (c)(1) of this section, each public school district seeking to participate in the program shall submit an application in the form and manner established by the division setting forth that the applicant:

(A) (i) Agrees to purchase ten (10) compressed natural gas school buses in addition to those provided under subdivision (c)(1) of this section before June 30, 2015.

(ii) The compressed natural gas school buses to be purchased by the participating district shall meet or exceed:

(a) The specifications and requirements of the compressed natural gas school buses provided by the division; and

(b) Applicable provisions of the rules of the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation, as they existed on January 1, 2013;

(B) Either:

(i) Has reasonable access to refueling options to allow for efficient use of the compressed natural gas school buses; or

(ii) Agrees, if the proposal calls for the construction of a new refueling station, to provide access to the refueling station to the general public; and

(C) Has sufficient resources to purchase, operate, and maintain the compressed natural gas school buses under this section, including information demonstrating that purchase, operation, and maintenance will not cause a financial hardship on the applicant.

(3) In addition to the requirements for qualifying applicants under subdivision (c)(2) of this section, the division is authorized to develop and require compliance with additional qualifications it deems necessary.

(d) The division may promulgate rules to administer the program.