BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 118

80R1030 JTS-D                                                                                                              By: Zaffirini

                                                                                                                                            Education

                                                                                                                                            2/19/2007

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current law requires that school buses in Texas be equipped with a convex mirror and signal lamps, but it does not require that school buses be equipped with seat belts. 

 

As proposed, S.B. 118 requires that school buses in Texas be equipped with three-point seat belts for each passenger, including the operator, if the bus is acquired on or after September 1, 2007.  This legislation is intended to provide safer transportation of Texas school children while they are under the state's care.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 547.701(a), Transportation Code, to require that a school bus be equipped with a three-point seat belt for each passenger, including the operator, if the bus is acquired on or after September 1, 2007.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2007.