Bill would allow charter schools to have permanent tags

Charter schools would be eligible for permanent license tags that exempt their vehicles from annual fees and inspections under a bill that cleared the House Transportation Committee Tuesday.

"What this does is simply recognize that charter schools are actually public schools," said Rep. Bert Jones, R-Rockingham. 

Charters are publicly-funded but privately run schools. Although they are exempt from many of the requirements imposed on traditional public schools, they are viewed as public agencies for other purposes, such as purchasing land. 

Some committee members were skeptical of the measure. The state recently ordered an overhaul in how permanent plates are issued. Reports found that many groups that should not have the plates had been issued them, costing costing the state money. 

Rep. Bill Brawley, R-Mecklenbrug, said he objected to the move because charter schools are not required to provide transportation to their students.

"We're not really making them operating these buses," he said. "They're choosing to do that." 

The measure passed on a voice vote. It will next be heard by the House Finance Committee.