By: Hamilton, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Lucio) H.B. No. 323

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 2007; May 2, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security; May 9, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 9, 2007, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 323 By: Watson

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to three-point seat belts on buses that transport schoolchildren.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 547.701, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 547.701. ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL BUSES AND OTHER BUSES USED TO TRANSPORT SCHOOLCHILDREN.

SECTION 2. Section 547.701, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e) In this subsection, "bus" includes a school bus and a school activity bus. A bus operated by or contracted for use by a school district for the transportation of schoolchildren shall be equipped with a three-point seat belt for each passenger, including the operator. This subsection applies to:

(1) each bus purchased by a school district on or after September 1, 2010, for the transportation of schoolchildren; and

(2) each school-chartered bus contracted for use by a school district on or after September 1, 2014, for the transportation of schoolchildren.

SECTION 3. Chapter 34, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 34.013 to read as follows:

Sec. 34.013. FUNDING FOR THREE-POINT SEAT BELTS. (a) A person may offer to donate three-point seat belts or money for the purchase of three-point seat belts for a school district's school buses.

(b) The board of trustees of a school district shall consider any offer made by a person under Subsection (a). The board of trustees may accept or decline the offer after adequate consideration.

(c) The board of trustees may acknowledge a person who donates three-point seat belts or money for the purchase of three-point seat belts for a school bus under this section by displaying a small, discreet sign on the side or back of the bus recognizing the person who made the donation. The sign may not serve as an advertisement for the person who made the donation.

SECTION 4. The changes made by Section 2 of this Act do not take effect unless the legislature appropriates money specifically for the purpose of reimbursing school districts for expenses incurred in complying with that section.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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