A JOINT RESOLUTION to authorize the joint legislative transportation oversight committee to study Purchasing School buses that will be alternative-fuel or low-emission vehicles.
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee shall study the costs and benefits of purchasing alternative‑fuel or low-emission school buses by the Department of Public Instruction.  In its study, the Committee shall review the findings in the draft plan for implementing alternative fuel or low-emission school buses in North Carolina prepared by the Department of Public Instruction in August 2000.  The Committee shall examine whether the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, as piloted in the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg School System, is cost-effective enough to expand to other counties.  The Committee shall consider whether the currently manufactured diesel low-emission vehicles (LEV) are meeting clean air standards at an affordable cost.  The Committee shall also consider funding sources including grant programs like the Texas School Bus Propane Rebate Program.
The Committee may make an interim report to the 2004 Regular Session of the 2005 General Assembly and a final report to the 2005 General Assembly.
SECTION 2.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.