Amend SB 836 by adding a new Section 6 and renumbering as
appropriate:
      SECTION 6.  Section 547.701, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
      (a)  A person may not operate a school bus to transport
students on a school bus route unless the bus as referenced in
Section 547.7015:
            (1)  meets or exceeds state specifications for school
buses effective during the year of vehicle manufacture;
            (2)  is equipped with signal lamps that:
                  (A)  are mounted as high and as widely spaced
laterally as practicable;
                  (B)  display four alternately flashing red
lights, two located on the front at the same level and two located
on the rear at the same level;
                  (C)  display four alternately flashing amber
lights, two located on the front at the same level and two located
on the rear at the same level; and
                  (D)  emit a light visible at a distance of 500
feet in normal sunlight;
            (3)  is maintained to meet or exceed applicable state
inspection requirements; and
            (4)  if modified, is modified in a manner that meets or
exceeds applicable state specifications for school buses effective
during the year the bus is modified.
      <A school bus shall be equipped with:>
            <(1)  A convex mirror or other device that reflects to
the school bus operator a clear view of the area immediately in
front of the vehicle that would otherwise be hidden from view; and>
            <(2)  Signal lamps that:>
                  <(A)  are mounted as high and as widely spaced
laterally as practicable;>
                  <(B)  display four alternately flashing red
lights, two located on the front at the same level and two located
on the rear at the same level; and>
                  <(C)  emit a light visible at a distance of 500
feet in normal sunlight.>
      (b)  Subsection (a)(1) does not apply to a school bus used to
transport students on a school related activity trip but a person
may not operate a school bus to transport students on a school
related activity trip unless the bus meets or exceeds federal motor
vehicle safety standards effective during the year of vehicle
manufacture and state inspection requirements if modified, is
modified in a manner that meets or exceeds applicable state
specifications for school buses effective during the year the bus
is modified.
      (c)  A person may not operate a school bus to transport
students unless the bus accessories:
            (1)  meet or exceed state specifications as referenced
in Section 547.7015 for school bus accessories effective during the
year of accessory installation;
            (2)  include a convex mirror that reflects to the bus
operator a clear view of the area immediately in front of the
vehicle that would otherwise be hidden from view;
            (3)  are maintained to meet or exceed applicable state
inspection requirements; and
            (4)  if modified, are modified in a manner that meets
or exceeds applicable state specifications for the accessory
effective during the year the accessory is modified.
      <(b)> (d)  A school bus may be equipped with:
            (1)  rooftop warning lamps:
                  (A)  that conform to and are placed on the bus in
accordance with specifications adopted under Section 34.002,
Education Code; and
                  (B)  that may be operated only during inclement
weather when the bus is stopping or is stopped to load or unload
students; and
            (2)  movable stop arms:
                  (A)  that conform to regulations adopted under
Section 34.002, Education Code; and
                  (B)  that may be operated only when the bus is
stopped to load and unload students.
      <(c)> (e)  When a school bus is being stopped or is stopped
on a highway to permit students to board or exit the bus, the
operator of the bus shall activate all flashing warning signal
lights and other equipment on the bus designed to warn other
drivers that the bus is stopping to load or unload children.  A
person may not operate such a light or other equipment except when
the bus is being stopped or is stopped on a highway to permit
students to board or exit the bus.
      <(d)> (f)  The exterior of a school bus may not bear
advertising or another paid announcement directed at the public if
the advertising or announcement distracts from the effectiveness of
required safety warning equipment.  The department shall adopt
rules to implement this subsection.  A school bus that violates
this section or rules adopted under this section shall be placed
out of service until it complies.
      (g)  The department is authorized to inspect buses and
vehicles for compliance with this section.
      (h)  For purposes of this section, "person" means an
individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, school
district, county school, open enrollment charter school, regional
education services center, a shared service arrangement, or any
other governmental entity.
      (i)  An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not less than $200 or more than $1,000 to
the owner of the bus.