Enrolled Copy H.B.

462 School Bus Internet Access GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:

Tiara Auxier Senate Sponsor:

David P.

Hinkins 3 LONG TITLE General Description:

This bill creates a grant program to provide internet connectivity on school buses in rural school districts.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:

▸ defines terms;

▸ creates a grant program for rural school districts to install and operate internet connectivity systems on school buses;

▸ establishes priority criteria for awarding grants;

▸ allows districts to combine grant money with district funds;

▸ requires grant recipients to commit to long-term operation of internet connectivity systems;

and ▸ requires the State Board of Education to make rules for grant administration.

Money Appropriated in this Bill:

This bill appropriates $325,000 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027, all of which is from the various sources as detailed in this bill.

Other Special Clauses:

This bill provides a special effective date.

Utah Code Sections Affected:

ENACTS:

53F-2-402.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

Section 1.

Section 53F-2-402.5 is enacted to read:

462 EnrolledSchool CopyBus 53F-2-402.5Internet .Access House Amendments Amendment 1 February 24, 2026 02:28 PM Representative Tiara Auxier proposes the following amendments:

Rural1. school district transportation grants.

(1)Line As31 usedthrough in53: this section:

(a) "Eligible school" means a public school within a school district:

{(b) "Extended trip" means a school bus trip to a school-sponsored event, including an } {athletic competition, academic competition, or club activity, that requires a student in } {grades 7 through 12 to travel more than 60 minutes one-way.} {(c)} (b) "Rural school district" means a school district that operates one or more eligible schools.

(2) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board shall distribute grant money to rural school districts to install and operate internet connectivity systems on school buses.buses { used } {for extended trips} .

{(a) operates one or more school bus routes that qualify as extended trips under } {Subsection (1)(b);} {(b)} (a) submits an application in accordance with state board rule;

and {(c)} (b) agrees to the requirements in Subsection (7).

(5) In awarding grants under this section, the state board shall give preference to rural school districts that do not currently have internet connectivity systems on school buses.buses { } {used for extended trips} .

and (b)2. the state board may not award a grant to a district in an amount that exceeds the total cost to:

(i)Line retrofit78 twothrough school87: buses with internet connectivity systems;

and (ii) pay for more than one year of internet connectivity services for two school busesbuses; for one year.

(7) A rural school district that receives a grant under this section shall:

(a) use grant money to:

(i) retrofit school buses with internet connectivity systems;

and (ii) provide internet access through a terrestrial wireless provider or a satellite internet service provider;

(b) assume responsibility for the cost of internet connectivity services after the grant money for services described in Subsection (7)(a)(ii) is expended;