Sen. Kennedy files bill in North Carolina Senate to electrify school buses by 2050

A new bill filed by Sen. Kennedy seeks to transition all school buses in North Carolina to electric power and establish a grant program to support small counties, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 612 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Convert School Buses to Electric by 2050.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates the conversion of all school buses in North Carolina to electric by the end of the 2049-50 school year, with a requirement that any new buses purchased from the 2026-27 school year onwards be electric. Additionally, it establishes the Electric Activity Bus Grant Program to help small counties purchase electric activity buses. Eligible school administrative units can apply for grants, which will cover up to 50% of the purchase price for electric buses or charging equipment. The Department of Public Instruction will prioritize grants for units that haven’t received previous assistance and will allocate $50 million annually for this purpose. An annual report detailing program allocations and application statistics is required. The bill appropriates $350 million from the General Fund for electric school bus purchases and $50 million for the grant program, effective with the 2026-27 school year.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Graig Meyer proposed the most bills (36) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Garrett graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007 with a BSBA.

Garrett, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 27th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Trudy Wade.