Relating to seat belts on buses that transport children.

Contracts

• Vendor Agreements: School districts must amend Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and RFPs to require that all chartered or contracted buses comply with Section 547.701(e) by September 1, 2029.
• Long-Term Charters: Private transportation contractors with agreements extending past 2029 must negotiate change orders immediately to address the capital costs of fleet retrofitting.

Hiring/Training

• Maintenance Certification: Fleet managers and mechanics must be tasked with verifying chassis warranties. You must obtain written certification from manufacturers if retrofitting a specific bus would void its warranty, as this is the only remaining permanent exemption.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• The "Deficiency Report": If you cannot afford immediate compliance, the Board of Trustees must vote on a budget exemption in a public meeting.
• Data Submission: By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, you must submit a report to TEA detailing:
• 1. The number of buses with no seat belts.
• 2. The number of buses with only 2-point (lap) belts.
• 3. The estimated financial cost to equip the non-compliant fleet with 3-point belts.

Fees & Costs

• Capital Expenditure: This is a high-cost mandate. Districts and private fleet owners must budget for significant retrofit kits or new vehicle procurement.
• Funding Uncertainty: While the data collection is intended to help the Legislature appropriate funds in 2027, no funding is currently guaranteed.