| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to state funding for school districts for transportation |
|
|
of students who would be subject to hazardous traffic conditions |
|
|
while walking. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 42.155(d), Education Code, is amended to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(d) A district or county may apply for and on approval of the |
|
|
commissioner receive an [additional] amount in addition to [of up
|
|
|
to 10 percent of] its regular transportation allotment to be used |
|
|
for the transportation of children living within two miles of the |
|
|
school they attend who would be subject to hazardous traffic |
|
|
conditions if they walked to school. The commissioner shall |
|
|
determine the amount of the additional allotment received under |
|
|
this subsection. Each board of trustees shall adopt a policy that |
|
|
defines [provide to the commissioner the definition of] hazardous |
|
|
traffic conditions applicable to that district and identifies |
|
|
[shall identify] the specific hazardous traffic areas for which the |
|
|
allocation is requested. A hazardous traffic condition includes a |
|
|
condition [exists] where no sidewalk or walkway is provided and |
|
|
children must walk along or cross a freeway or expressway, an |
|
|
underpass, an overpass or a bridge, an uncontrolled major traffic |
|
|
artery, an industrial or commercial area, or another comparable |
|
|
condition. Each board of trustees shall provide a copy of the |
|
|
policy adopted under this subsection to the commissioner and |
|
|
annually update or confirm that policy, as provided by the |
|
|
commissioner, to maintain eligibility for an additional allotment |
|
|
under this subsection. A determination by the commissioner under |
|
|
this subsection is final and may not be appealed. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 |
|
|
school year. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
|
|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
|
|
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
|
|
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
|
|
Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |