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.