SRC-JRN S.B. 517 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 517 By: Bivins Education 3-25-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law does not state whether or not 15 passenger vans may be used to transport students. Some school districts may be unclear about the legality of using 15 passenger vans to transport students on certain routes. This bill requires school buses to be used for school bus routes that have 15 or more students and authorizes the use of passenger vans for routes that have fewer than 15 students. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 517 requires school buses to be used for school bus routes that have 15 or more students and authorizes passenger vans to be used for routes that have fewer than 15 students. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 34.003, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 34.003. OPERATION OF SCHOOL BUSES. Requires school buses to be used for the transportation of students to and from school on school bus routes having 15, rather than 10, or more students. Provides that passenger vans may be used for routes having fewer than 15, rather than 10, students. Defines "passenger van." Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1997-1998 school year. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.