§497. School bus operators; compensation

            A.(1) There shall be paid to operators as defined in this Section, for the operation of each school bus operated in the public school system of the state of Louisiana, a rate of compensation for such operation in accordance with the following:

            (a) For buses with a manufacturer's rated capacity of forty-eight passengers or fewer, the minimum operational pay rate is $1.4683 per mile of paid mileage.

            (b) For buses with a manufacturer's rated capacity of greater than forty-eight passengers, the minimum operational pay rate is $1.756 per mile of paid mileage.

            (2) For buses equipped with lift and mobility device securement systems, the manufacturer's rated capacity shall be determined by the rated capacity of a bus of equal length that is designed to transport only ambulatory passengers.

            (3)(a) The compensation, as computed in accordance with this Section, shall be paid for the number of days of actual operation, but not less than one hundred eighty days, during the official school year adopted by the public school governing authority, and for the number of days of actual operation for the summer semester, if applicable.

            (b) Each public school governing authority shall establish supplemental payments for individual operators who are required by the governing authority to purchase any of the following equipment:

            (i) Lift mechanisms, wheelchair or other mobility device securement systems, occupant restraints, cleaning supplies, or other equipment required exclusively for transporting students with disabilities.

            (ii) Air-conditioning equipment.

            B. The term "operator" as used in this Section shall mean any individual or public school governing authority that owns and is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and replacement of a school bus operated in the public schools of the state, including state universities, colleges, and junior colleges.

            C. The term "paid mileage" as used in this Section shall mean the distance the bus travels after picking up its first student until it reaches the final student discharge destination or school of each morning and afternoon route officially designated by the public school governing authority.

            D.(1) Each public school governing authority shall designate the size of the bus to be used on each official regular school bus route. When an operator deems it necessary to purchase a bus, either new or used for not more than five years from the date of manufacture, of the designated size to be used on an official regular school bus route, he shall obtain the approval for the purchase from the public school governing authority or its duly designated officer or agent. After purchasing an approved bus, no operator shall be penalized as a result of the change by the public school governing authority in the designated size of the bus or the length of the route within a seven-year period.

            (2) No public school governing authority shall approve the purchase by an operator of a used bus when the sole purpose of such purchase is to extend the protected period against penalty provided for in this Subsection.

            (3) The distribution of state funds for school transportation to the public school governing authority shall include any costs incurred by the public school governing authority in complying with these provisions.

            E. A public school governing authority exempt from the provisions of R.S. 17:496 is subject to this Section in the same manner as other public school governing authorities.

            Added by Acts 1954, No. 74, §3. Amended by Acts 1955, No. 57, §1; Acts 1955, No. 58, §1; Acts 1956, No. 112, §1; Acts 1964, Ex.Sess., No. 27, §1; Acts 1966, No. 167, §1; Acts 1967, No. 58, §1; Acts 1968, No. 397, §4; Acts 1968, Ex.Sess., No. 40, §1; Acts 1970, No. 586, §1; Acts 1970, No. 625, §2; Acts 1971, No. 103, §1; Acts 1974, No. 206, §1; Acts 1978, No. 37, §1; Acts 1979, No. 452, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1980, No. 147, §1, eff. July 2, 1980; Acts 1980, No. 382, §1; Acts 1983, No. 658, §1; Acts 1985, No. 619, §1; Acts 1986, No. 140, §1, eff. beginning of 1986 fall term; Acts 1986, No. 360, §1; Acts 1986, No. 1025, §1; Acts 1992, No. 1086, §1; Acts 2017, No. 335, §1; Acts 2022, No. 449, §1, eff. June 15, 2022; Acts 2022, No. 661, §1, eff. June 18, 2022.