SACRAMENTO - The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill by Assemblywoman Patty Berg that would help rural school districts replace their pre-1987 buses without raising taxes or reducing other services.

The Education Committee approved the bill on a bipartisan 10-0 vote, with one member abstaining. The bill was previously approved by the entire Assembly.

“Here’s proof positive that we can all work together here in Sacramento,” said Berg. “I think we all understand that there’s no good reason for kids in rural areas to be stuck in polluting old rigs, when safer, cleaner buses are available.”

Assembly Bill 1107 uses an existing pool of money earmarked to replace pre-1977 buses. Since most of those older rigs are already off the road, Berg’s bill would tap that $4.5 million fund to replace pre-1987 buses.

There are currently about 6,000 pre-1987 buses in operation in California. Many of them are used in rural districts, where children are most likely to be dependent on buses to get to school. New buses are not only safer, but also emit significantly less pollution and are more economical to operate.

“This is all about valuing our children,” Berg said. “It’s a wise investment, and it doesn’t add a penny in cost that isn’t already there.”

Under the program, qualifying rural school districts would apply for grant funds, and would receive the entire cost of a replacement bus. Districts would, however, have to cover the cost of certain options and upgrades.