(a) If a continuing contract for the furnishing of transportation of pupils in school districts to and from school is made it shall be made for a term not to exceed five years. A contract is renewable at the option of the school district and the party contracting to provide transportation services, jointly, at the end of the term of the contract. The contract as renewed shall include all of the terms and conditions of the previous contract, including any provisions increasing rates based on increased costs.
(b) A continuing contract may be made for the lease or rental of schoolbuses, not to exceed five years, except that if a lease or rental contract provides that the district may exercise an option either to purchase the buses or to cancel the lease at the end of each annual period during the period of the contract, the contract may be made for a term not to exceed 10 years.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, a continuing contract executed under the provisions of this section may be negotiated annually within the contract period when economic factors indicate negotiation is necessary to maintain an equitable pricing structure. Renegotiation is subject to the approval of both contracting parties.
(d) Any rental, lease, or lease-purchase of a schoolbus shall comply with all applicable provisions of Article 3 (commencing with Section 17450) of Chapter 4 of Part 10.5.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 646, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2000.)