1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to eligibility to conduct a mental and physical
 1-3     examination of a school bus operator.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 521.022(c), Transportation Code, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           (c)  A person may not operate a school bus for the
 1-8     transportation of students unless the person meets the mental and
 1-9     physical capability requirements the department establishes by rule
1-10     and has passed an examination approved by the department to
1-11     determine the person's mental and physical capabilities to operate
1-12     a school bus safely.  A physician, advanced practice nurse, or
1-13     physician assistant may conduct the examination.  An
1-14     ophthalmologist, optometrist, or therapeutic optometrist may
1-15     conduct the part of the examination relating to the person's
1-16     vision.  Each school bus operator must pass the examination
1-17     annually.
1-18           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-19     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-20     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-21     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-22     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
1-23     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
1-24     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1409 was passed by the House on May
         4, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 138, Nays 0, 1 present, not
         voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1409 was passed by the Senate on May
         20, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  _____________________
                            Date
                    _____________________
                          Governor