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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 in a school crossing zone. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 545.309 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 545.309. IDLING BUS DIESEL ENGINE AT SCHOOL OR IN |
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SCHOOL CROSSING ZONE PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "idling" |
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means allowing an engine to run while the motor vehicle is not |
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engaged in forward or reverse motion. |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the operator 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 in a school |
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crossing zone. |
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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 operate the bus |
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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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(d) A local authority may enforce this section, including on |
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school property. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |