SRC-ARR C.S.S.B. 836 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 836
By: Duncan
Education
4/8/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law requires all school buses carrying school students to
travel at speeds not exceeding 55 mph on an interstate and 50 mph
elsewhere. Certain school districts that travel long distances to
extracurricular activities must leave earlier. This causes the students to
leave class earlier and arrive home later. C.S.S.B. 836 increases the speed
limit for certain buses used to transport students to school activities. 
 
PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 836 increases the speed limit for certain buses used
to transport students to school activities. 

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), to define "school activity
bus," and redefine "school bus." Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 545.352(c), Transportation Code, to provide that
the speed limits for a school activity bus are the same as required for a
passenger car at the same time and location. Makes a conforming 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, to redefine
"commercial motor vehicle." 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 584.201(b), 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.  

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.
                     Effective date: upon passage. 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 541.201, Transportation Code, to include routes other than
to and from school in the definition of "school activity bus." Redefines
"school bus" to mean a vehicle used to transport students on a school-
related activity trip other than on routes to and from  school. Deletes
text regarding Section 34.003, Education Code, and persons on contract with
a legal guardian.   

SECTION 4. 

 Amends Section 548.001, Transportation Code, to redefine "commercial motor
vehicle." 

SECTION 5. 

Amends Section 548.201(b), 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.  

 Redesignates existing SECTION accordingly.