No school bus operator shall have his total compensation for the operation of a school bus received in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. 17:497 reduced for any school year within a five-year period because his route is altered or changed pursuant to or as a result of a court order or other order or plan necessarily implemented to comply with any provisions of law or court decisions relating to the bussing of school children in the public schools.  For a five-year period extending from the effective date of such alteration or change in route, any such school bus operator so affected shall receive, in lieu of compensation as provided in La. Rev. Stat. 17:497, compensation for the operation of a school bus that is equal to the average compensation received during the three immediately preceding school years, or the reduced compensation computed under the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 17:497, whichever is greater, provided however that the provisions of this section shall apply in St. Landry Parish only.  

The provisions of this section shall apply only when the school bus operator is the owner of the school bus.  

Added by Acts 1970, No. 333, §1.