HBA-TBM H.B. 2043 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2043
By: Williams
Transportation
4/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires a school bus or mass transit authority motor bus to be
used for the transportation of 10 or more students to and from school.
School buses are also currently required to meet or exceed safety standards
established by the Department of Public Safety with the advice of the
General Services Commission and the Texas Education Agency.  House Bill
2043 requires a school or motor bus that is put into use transporting
students on or after September 1, 2001, to meet federal safety standards.

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2043 amends the Education Code to provide that a school bus or
motor bus purchased, leased, or chartered or bus services contracted for on
or after September 1, 2001 and used to transport preprimary, primary, or
secondary students to and from school or in connection with school
activities other than on routes to and from school must meet federal school
bus safety standards.  A school bus or motor bus in use on September 1,
2001 that does not meet the federal standards is authorized to continue in
use until the earlier of September 1, 2006 or the end of the contract's
term.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.