Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C-Sand Lake) joined colleagues yesterday at a press conference to announce his strong support for legislation that would authorize school districts to apply for a waiver from the commissioner of education, allowing them to opt out of certain zero-emission school bus requirements set for full implementation by July 1, 2027.

Bendett underscored the importance of striking a balance between sustainability and practicality, ensuring school districts can provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation for students without sacrificing critical educational opportunities.

“New York’s school districts are as diverse as the state itself,” said Bendett. “This one-size-fits-all mandate does not account for the real-world obstacles faced by rural and underserved districts.”

While supporting the broader goal of sustainability, Bendett highlighted the significant economic and logistical hurdles associated with the transition to zero-emission buses. The cost of these buses, which ranges from two to four times more than traditional internal combustion engine buses, would place a heavy financial burden on school districts. One analysis estimates that the total cost of the mandate, excluding infrastructure and facility upgrades, could range between $8 billion and $15.25 billion.

“These costs, combined with all the other unknowns of this mandate, is inevitably going to be a burden placed on the shoulders of those who never asked for it in the first place,” said Bendett. “We champion democracy but imposing a statewide mandate on communities that oppose it is far from it.”

*CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OF ASSEMBLYMAN SCOTT BENDETT SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE*