In allocating any funds for schoolbus replacement or reconditioning, the State Department of Education shall allocate funds for vehicles used in special education in not less than the proportion as the percentage of vehicles used compares to total schoolbuses in the state. The State Department of Education may adopt regulations to implement this section in an equitable manner.
School districts or county offices of education providing transportation services through a cooperative, consortium, or joint powers agreement, shall be eligible to participate by application from the member district.
The Division of State Special Schools of the State Department of Education shall have the same status as a school district for the purposes of this section.