RALEIGH, N.C. — Lawmakers in the state Senate are proposing to increase the mileage limit on school buses from 200,000 miles to 250,000 and reduce the school bus replacement budget by 42%, according to a story by N.C. Policy Watch.

Derek Graham, chief of transportation services at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, told the legislation news outlet that 1,000 buses that are due for replacement would not be replaced this year due to the proposed increased mileage limit.  

Currently, the law requires North Carolina’s local school districts to replace their school buses after logging 200,000 miles or reaching 20 years of age, whichever comes first. As a cost-savings measure, the 2013-15 Senate budget proposal pushes that replacement target up to 250,000 miles; the 20-year limit would remain in force. Funding for replacement buses would be cut by $28 million for 2013-14, a reduction of 42%.

The Senate has already approved its budget bill; it is now up to the House to decide if it will agree to reduce funding for school bus replacements in its budget.

To read the full story, click here.

Other recent legislation in North Carolina:

• North Carolina bill would increase bus-passing fines

• North Carolina bill would revoke bus passers' licenses