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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to idling the diesel engine of a school bus while the bus |
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is parked at a public school or school event. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 34, Education Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 34.0041 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 34.0041. IDLING BUS DIESEL ENGINE AT SCHOOL OR SCHOOL |
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EVENT PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "idling" means allowing an |
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engine to run while the motor vehicle is not engaged in forward or |
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reverse motion. |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the driver of a |
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school bus equipped with a diesel engine may not allow the idling of |
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the bus engine while the bus is parked at a school or school event. |
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(c) Subsection (b) does not prohibit the idling of a school |
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bus diesel engine: |
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(1) for the minimum time necessary to heat or cool the |
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bus before departure, provided that the engine is turned off when a |
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student is embarking or disembarking; or |
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(2) as necessary to accommodate the physical needs of |
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a student who receives special education services, regardless of |
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whether students are embarking or disembarking. |
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SECTION 2. Section 34.0041, Education Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |