HBA-MPA, ALS, PDH, MAJ H.B. 385 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 385
By: Walker
Transportation
6/24/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislature, a school bus could not legally exceed 50
miles per hour, except on interstate highways, where they could travel 55
miles per hour.  This limitation included school buses used for
extracurricular activities.  H.B. 385 applies the same speed limit
applicable to a passenger car to a school activity bus, which meets
commercial vehicle inspection standards, carrying students and personnel on
extracurricular activities or to a school bus, meeting those standards, on
a highway numbered by the United States or the state of Texas outside an
urban district. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 541.201, Transportation Code, to define "school
activity bus" and redefine "school bus." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 545.352(b) and (c), Transportation Code, to
provide that outside of an urban district for a school bus that has passed
a commercial motor vehicle inspection under Section 548.201 (Commercial
Motor Vehicle Inspection Program), on a highway numbered by the United
States or this state a speed of 60 miles per hour (mph) is lawful, rather
than 50 mph on a highway other than an interstate highway, and 50 mph for a
school bus that has not passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection under
Section 548.201, or is traveling on an unnumbered highway, rather than
55mph on an interstate highway.  Provides that the speed limits for a
school activity bus are the same as required for a passenger car at the
same time and location. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 521.022, Transportation Code, to define "school
bus" for purposes of this section. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 548.001, Transportation Code, to include a
school activity bus meeting certain criteria within the definition of
"commercial motor vehicle." 

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 548.201, Transportation Code, to provide that
the commercial motor vehicle inspection program established under this
section applies to any school activity bus meeting certain criteria, and
any school bus operating at 60 mph on a highway numbered by the United
States or this state. 

SECTION 6.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.