S.B. No. 195
AN ACT
relating to funding under the transportation allotment for public
school students subject to a high risk of violence while walking to
school.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 42.155, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (d-1) and (d-2) to
read as follows:
(d) A district or county may apply for and on approval of the
commissioner receive an additional amount of up to 10 percent of its
regular transportation allotment to be used for the transportation
of children living within two miles of the school they attend who
would be subject to hazardous traffic conditions or a high risk of
violence if they walked to school.
(d-1) For purposes of Subsection (d), each [Each] board of
trustees shall provide to the commissioner an explanation [the
definition] of the hazardous traffic conditions or areas presenting
a high risk of violence applicable to that district and shall
identify the specific hazardous or high-risk areas for which the
allocation is requested. A hazardous traffic condition exists
where no walkway is provided and children must walk along or cross a
freeway or expressway, an underpass, an overpass or a bridge, an
uncontrolled major traffic artery, an industrial or commercial
area, or another comparable condition. An area presents a high risk
of violence if law enforcement records indicate a high incidence of
violent crimes in the area. Each board of trustees requesting funds
for an area presenting a high risk of violence must, in addition to
the explanation required by this subsection, provide the
commissioner with consolidated law enforcement records that
document violent crimes identified by reporting agencies within the
relevant jurisdiction.
(d-2) A district or county may use all or part of any funds
received under Subsection (d) to support community walking
transportation programs, including walking school bus programs,
provided that the district or county requires each supported
program to submit a financial report to the district or county each
semester that covers services provided by the program for the
benefit of the district or county. The commissioner shall adopt
rules governing the transportation allotment as necessary to permit
a district or county to receive funds under Subsection (d) that may
be used to support innovative school safety projects, including
community walking transportation programs as provided by this
subsection and any other appropriate safety project, including
rules defining an approved walking route mile that may be used as
necessary in implementing this subsection.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 195 passed the Senate on
May 8, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9; and that the
Senate concurred in House amendment on May 26, 2017, by the
following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 195 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 90,
Nays 55, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor