SRC-JXG C.S.H.B. 385 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 385 76R15210 WP-FBy: Walker (Duncan) Education 5/13/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, a school bus cannot legally exceed 50 miles per hour, except on interstate highways, where they can travel 55 miles per hour. This limitation includes school buses used for extracurricular activities. C.S.H.B. 385 would apply the same speed to a passenger car as to a school bus carrying students and personnel on school-related activities, or to a school bus on an interstate highway outside an urban district. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.H.B. 385 applies the same speed applicable to a passenger car to a school bus carrying students and personnel on school-related activities or to a school bus on an interstate highway outside an urban district. 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 541.201, Transportation Code, by adding a new Subdivision (15), renumbering existing Subdivision (15) as Subdivision (16) and amending that subdivision, and renumbering existing Subdivisions (16) through (22) as Subdivisions (17) through (23), as follows: (15) Defines "school activity bus." (16) Redefines "school bus." (17)-(23) Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Subsections (b) and (c), Section 545.352, Transportation Code, as follows: (b) Provides that the following speeds are lawful: outside an urban district: 60 miles, rather than 50, per hour if the vehicle is a school bus that has passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection under Section 548.201 and is on a highway numbered by the United States or this state, including a farm-to-market road; 50 miles per hour if the vehicle is a school bus that has not passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection under Section 548.201, or is traveling on a highway not numbered by the United States or this state. Makes a nonsubstantive change. (c) Provides that the speed limits for a bus or other vehicle engaged in the business of transporting passengers for compensation or hire, and for a school activity bus are the same as required for a passenger car at the same time and location. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 3. Amends Section 521.022, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (i), to define "school bus." SECTION 4. Amends Section 548.001, Transportation Code, as amended by Chapters 1061 and 1069, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, to redefine "commercial motor vehicle." SECTION 5. Amends Subsection (b), Section 548.201, Transportation Code, to provide that a program under this section also applies to any school activity bus, as defined in Section 541.201, that has a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, or is designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and any school bus that will operate at a speed authorized by Section 545.352(b)(5)(A). Makes conforming changes. SECTION 6. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.