Tennessee House Bill HB1928

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/24
• Refer: 1/25/24
• Refer: 2/7/24
• Refer: 2/13/24
• Refer: 4/17/24
• Chaptered: 5/9/24
• Passed: 5/9/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 21 and Title 55, Chapter 50, relative to the operation of school buses.

Impact

The implications of HB 1928 extend to the state laws regarding transportation, particularly in enhancing safety measures for children commuting to school. By raising the passenger threshold, the bill is expected to increase scrutiny and regulatory oversight of vehicles that qualify as school buses. This could lead to improved safety standards for the transportation of school children, ensuring that more operators adhere strictly to established protocols designed for school bus services.

Summary

House Bill 1928 aims to amend the Tennessee Code concerning the operation and specification of school buses. The bill seeks to clarify the definition of a school bus, changing the criteria from vehicles for more than fifteen passengers to those for sixteen or more. Additionally, it specifies that vehicles operated for the transportation of children to or from school or school-related activities, for compensation, will be classified as school buses. This change in threshold aims to ensure that more vehicles used for this purpose meet the regulatory requirements associated with school transportation.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1928 appears to be positive among those advocating for child safety and public welfare. Supporters argue that the bill strengthens regulatory framework surrounding school transportation, thus reducing risks to children. However, there may be concerns from vehicle operators about potential increases in operational costs or requirements as a result of adjusting to these new definitions, which could elicit mixed reactions among stakeholders within the transportation sector.

Contention

There may be notable points of contention regarding the practicality of implementing these changes, particularly how they will affect existing operators of vehicles used for school transportation. Stakeholders might debate the effectiveness of raising the passenger threshold in actually improving safety outcomes. Moreover, the timeframe for implementing these regulatory changes—set for July 1, 2024—will necessitate careful considerations from both policymakers and the transportation industry.