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.