Tennessee House Bill HB0146

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 9; Title 49 and Title 55, relative to school buses.

Impact

The bill's enactment would primarily affect how LEAs manage their reporting and compliance regarding school bus safety checks. By requiring the contact information to be submitted earlier, it is anticipated that this measure will help ensure that school buses are regularly inspected and that communication lines are established prior to the start of the academic year. This could potentially lead to improved safety oversight for school transportation services, thereby enhancing the overall safety standards in school-operated transportation.

Summary

House Bill 0146 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning school buses, specifically in relation to the statutory requirements for local education agencies (LEAs). This bill proposes a change in the timeline regarding the submission of contact information for those designated to check school buses. Specifically, it seeks to amend the submission deadline from August 1 to July 31 each year. This adjustment is expected to streamline communication and ensure that all required contacts are documented appropriately before the school year begins.

Contention

While the bill seems to have straightforward goals, there may be underlying concerns among education stakeholders about the feasibility of the new timeline. School districts may feel the pressure to expedite their internal processes to meet the revised deadline, which could raise issues related to administrative capacity and resource allocation. The adjustment could be viewed as a minor administrative shift; however, it highlights the broader discussions surrounding administrative burdens on LEAs during the preparation for the school year.