Bill Would Exempt School Bus Drivers from Paying Tolls

A bill has been introduced in the state Legislature that would amend current law to include drivers of school buses and other district-owned vehicles as among those individuals who are exempt from paying tolls at tollgates, bridges and ferries.

Under House Bill 1331, a person driving a public school bus or another district-owned vehicle on official school district business would be allowed to pass free through all tollgates and over all toll bridges and ferries in the state of Florida.

WMFE reports that state Rep. Linda Stewart, who is the bill’s sponsor, looked into the issue after a 13-year-old middle school student called her office to ask about tolls paid by school bus drivers.  

The bill received its first reading on Tuesday. If it is ultimately approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.