89R5175 GP-D
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 546
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to seat belts on buses that transport children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 547.701, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
follows:
(e) In this subsection, "bus" includes a school bus, school
activity bus, multifunction school activity bus, or
school-chartered bus. Except as otherwise provided by this
subsection, a [A] bus operated by or contracted for use by a school
district for the transportation of schoolchildren shall be equipped
with a three-point seat belt for each passenger, including the
operator. A bus shall be equipped with a two-point seat belt for
each passenger, including the operator, if the board of trustees
for the school district:
(1) determines it is not feasible, in consideration of
the district's budget and student needs, for the district to equip
the district's buses with three-point seat belts as required by
this subsection; and
(2) [This subsection does not apply to:
[(1) a bus purchased by a school district that is a
model year 2017 or earlier; or
[(2) a bus purchased by a school district that is a
model year 2018 or later if the board of trustees for the school
district:
[(A) determines that the district's budget does
not permit the district to purchase a bus that is equipped with the
seat belts required by this subsection; and
[(B)] votes to approve that determination in a
public meeting.
(f) A school district may accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any public or private source to implement the
requirements of Subsection (e).
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.