CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 843Introduced by Senator SternFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 34501.5 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 843, as introduced, Stern. Vehicles: school pupil transportation: advisory committee. Existing law requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to adopt reasonable rules and regulations that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of specified vehicles, including, among other vehicles, schoolbuses and commercial motor vehicles. Existing law requires the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to appoint an advisory committee to assist with developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation. Existing law specifies appointment of the 11 members of the committee, including, among others, one member employed as a schoolbus driver.This bill would expand the committee to 13 members by including the appointment of 2 members of low-income communities, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 34501.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:34501.5. (a) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations which, that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of vehicles described in Sections 39830 and 82321 of the Education Code and Sections 545 and 34500 of this code. The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol shall appoint a committee of 11 13 members to act in an advisory capacity when developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations. The advisory committee shall consist of 11 13 members appointed as follows:(1) One member of the State Department of Education.(2) One member of the Department of Motor Vehicles.(3) One member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.(4) One member who is employed as a schoolbus driver.(5) One member of the Office of Traffic Safety in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.(6) Two members who are schoolbus contractors, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(7) Two members who are representatives of school districts, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(8) One professionally licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.(9) One member representing school pupil transportation operations other than schoolbus operations.(10) Two members of low-income communities, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(b) The department shall cooperate and confer with the advisory committee appointed pursuant to this section prior to adopting rules or regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 843Introduced by Senator SternFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 34501.5 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 843, as introduced, Stern. Vehicles: school pupil transportation: advisory committee. Existing law requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to adopt reasonable rules and regulations that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of specified vehicles, including, among other vehicles, schoolbuses and commercial motor vehicles. Existing law requires the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to appoint an advisory committee to assist with developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation. Existing law specifies appointment of the 11 members of the committee, including, among others, one member employed as a schoolbus driver.This bill would expand the committee to 13 members by including the appointment of 2 members of low-income communities, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 843
Introduced by Senator SternFebruary 21, 2025
Introduced by Senator Stern
February 21, 2025
An act to amend Section 34501.5 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 843, as introduced, Stern. Vehicles: school pupil transportation: advisory committee.
Existing law requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to adopt reasonable rules and regulations that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of specified vehicles, including, among other vehicles, schoolbuses and commercial motor vehicles. Existing law requires the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to appoint an advisory committee to assist with developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation. Existing law specifies appointment of the 11 members of the committee, including, among others, one member employed as a schoolbus driver.This bill would expand the committee to 13 members by including the appointment of 2 members of low-income communities, as specified.
Existing law requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to adopt reasonable rules and regulations that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of specified vehicles, including, among other vehicles, schoolbuses and commercial motor vehicles. Existing law requires the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to appoint an advisory committee to assist with developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation. Existing law specifies appointment of the 11 members of the committee, including, among others, one member employed as a schoolbus driver.
This bill would expand the committee to 13 members by including the appointment of 2 members of low-income communities, as specified.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 34501.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:34501.5. (a) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations which, that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of vehicles described in Sections 39830 and 82321 of the Education Code and Sections 545 and 34500 of this code. The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol shall appoint a committee of 11 13 members to act in an advisory capacity when developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations. The advisory committee shall consist of 11 13 members appointed as follows:(1) One member of the State Department of Education.(2) One member of the Department of Motor Vehicles.(3) One member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.(4) One member who is employed as a schoolbus driver.(5) One member of the Office of Traffic Safety in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.(6) Two members who are schoolbus contractors, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(7) Two members who are representatives of school districts, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(8) One professionally licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.(9) One member representing school pupil transportation operations other than schoolbus operations.(10) Two members of low-income communities, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(b) The department shall cooperate and confer with the advisory committee appointed pursuant to this section prior to adopting rules or regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 34501.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:34501.5. (a) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations which, that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of vehicles described in Sections 39830 and 82321 of the Education Code and Sections 545 and 34500 of this code. The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol shall appoint a committee of 11 13 members to act in an advisory capacity when developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations. The advisory committee shall consist of 11 13 members appointed as follows:(1) One member of the State Department of Education.(2) One member of the Department of Motor Vehicles.(3) One member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.(4) One member who is employed as a schoolbus driver.(5) One member of the Office of Traffic Safety in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.(6) Two members who are schoolbus contractors, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(7) Two members who are representatives of school districts, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(8) One professionally licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.(9) One member representing school pupil transportation operations other than schoolbus operations.(10) Two members of low-income communities, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(b) The department shall cooperate and confer with the advisory committee appointed pursuant to this section prior to adopting rules or regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations.
SECTION 1. Section 34501.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
34501.5. (a) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations which, that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of vehicles described in Sections 39830 and 82321 of the Education Code and Sections 545 and 34500 of this code. The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol shall appoint a committee of 11 13 members to act in an advisory capacity when developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations. The advisory committee shall consist of 11 13 members appointed as follows:(1) One member of the State Department of Education.(2) One member of the Department of Motor Vehicles.(3) One member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.(4) One member who is employed as a schoolbus driver.(5) One member of the Office of Traffic Safety in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.(6) Two members who are schoolbus contractors, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(7) Two members who are representatives of school districts, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(8) One professionally licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.(9) One member representing school pupil transportation operations other than schoolbus operations.(10) Two members of low-income communities, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(b) The department shall cooperate and confer with the advisory committee appointed pursuant to this section prior to adopting rules or regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations.
34501.5. (a) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations which, that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of vehicles described in Sections 39830 and 82321 of the Education Code and Sections 545 and 34500 of this code. The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol shall appoint a committee of 11 13 members to act in an advisory capacity when developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations. The advisory committee shall consist of 11 13 members appointed as follows:(1) One member of the State Department of Education.(2) One member of the Department of Motor Vehicles.(3) One member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.(4) One member who is employed as a schoolbus driver.(5) One member of the Office of Traffic Safety in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.(6) Two members who are schoolbus contractors, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(7) Two members who are representatives of school districts, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(8) One professionally licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.(9) One member representing school pupil transportation operations other than schoolbus operations.(10) Two members of low-income communities, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(b) The department shall cooperate and confer with the advisory committee appointed pursuant to this section prior to adopting rules or regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations.
34501.5. (a) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations which, that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of vehicles described in Sections 39830 and 82321 of the Education Code and Sections 545 and 34500 of this code. The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol shall appoint a committee of 11 13 members to act in an advisory capacity when developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations. The advisory committee shall consist of 11 13 members appointed as follows:(1) One member of the State Department of Education.(2) One member of the Department of Motor Vehicles.(3) One member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.(4) One member who is employed as a schoolbus driver.(5) One member of the Office of Traffic Safety in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.(6) Two members who are schoolbus contractors, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(7) Two members who are representatives of school districts, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(8) One professionally licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.(9) One member representing school pupil transportation operations other than schoolbus operations.(10) Two members of low-income communities, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.(b) The department shall cooperate and confer with the advisory committee appointed pursuant to this section prior to adopting rules or regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations.
34501.5. (a) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations which, that, in the judgment of the department, are designed to promote the safe operation of vehicles described in Sections 39830 and 82321 of the Education Code and Sections 545 and 34500 of this code. The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol shall appoint a committee of 11 13 members to act in an advisory capacity when developing and adopting regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations. The advisory committee shall consist of 11 13 members appointed as follows:
(1) One member of the State Department of Education.
(2) One member of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(3) One member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
(4) One member who is employed as a schoolbus driver.
(5) One member of the Office of Traffic Safety in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.
(6) Two members who are schoolbus contractors, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.
(7) Two members who are representatives of school districts, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.
(8) One professionally licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
(9) One member representing school pupil transportation operations other than schoolbus operations.
(10) Two members of low-income communities, one of whom shall be from an urban area of the state and one of whom shall be from a rural area of the state, as determined by the department.
(b) The department shall cooperate and confer with the advisory committee appointed pursuant to this section prior to adopting rules or regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations.