Senate Passes Fuschillo Bill to Help Reduce Costs for School Districts

             Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today announced that the New York State Senate has passed legislation he sponsors to help school districts save money to maintain their school buses. The legislation would allow “school bus” signs, which must be illuminated under current law to be constructed with more cost-effective reflective material.  

            “Both children and taxpayers will benefit from this legislation. Making use of new reflective technology will help school districts save money and lower their costs, while still ensuring that children are protected. I am pleased that it has been passed by the Senate,” said Senator Fuschillo, Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee. 

            Current law requires school buses to have two “school bus” signs on their vehicles to alert drivers. These signs are required to be illuminated one half hour before sunrise and one half hour after sunset. Illuminated signs are more expensive both to use and maintain and are no longer standard issue on manufactured buses. In addition, these lights accumulate snow and ice which lead to water leaks and structural corrosion. 

The legislation would remove the requirement that these buses have illuminated signs and would instead allow signs to be constructed from reflective material. The reflective material is similar to traffic signs and is cheaper to both purchase and maintain, while still providing appropriate visibility. 

The legislation has been sent to the Assembly for consideration. 

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