(a) There is a Zero–Emission Vehicle School Bus Transition Grant Program in the State.
(b) The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to county boards of education and entities that contract with county boards to provide transportation services to:
(1) Purchase school buses that are zero–emission vehicles;
(2) Install electric vehicle infrastructure for charging school buses that are zero–emission vehicles;
(3) Engage in planning for a transition to using school buses that are zero–emission vehicles; and
(4) Fund pilot programs to experiment with a transition to school buses that are zero–emission vehicles.
(c) The Department, in consultation with the State Department of Education, shall implement and administer the Program.
(d) (1) If the Department receives any funds as a result of a legal settlement that are earmarked for the purpose of transitioning to school buses that are zero–emission vehicles, the funds shall be made available to award grants in accordance with this section.
(2) In addition to any funding provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection, funding for the Program consists of:
(i) Money appropriated in the State budget for the Program; and
(ii) Any additional money made available to the Program from any private or public sources.
(e) The Department may adopt regulations to implement this section.