Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 17, § 497. School bus operators; compensation

Current as of January 01, 2023 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

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.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 17, § 497. School bus operators; compensation - last updated January 01, 2023 | https://codes.findlaw.com/la/revised-statutes/la-rev-stat-tit-17-sect-497/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard