STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 3851

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Senator LAGANA)

ADOPTED: DECEMBER 20, 2021

      These floor amendments:

      (1)  change the Office of the School Bus Safety Ombudsman to the Office of School Bus Safety;

      (2)  designate that the Office of School Bus Safety will be in the Department of Education (DOE). In its original form, the ombudsman position was in, but not of, the DOE;

      (3)  provide that the office will coordinate with the Motor Vehicle Commission and the Department of Law and Public Safety on the sharing of information regarding matters related to school bus safety. The Motor Vehicle Commission and the Department of Law and Public Safety will, pursuant to a valid Memorandum of Understanding and to the extent permitted by law, share information with the office to assist in effectuating the provisions of the bill;

      (4)  provide that the DOE will submit an initial report to the Governor and Legislature and that thereafter the office will issue an annual report to the Commissioner of Education; and

      (5)  make an appropriation of $200,000 from the General Fund to the DOE the effectuate the purposes of the bill.