SB 546

relating to seat belts on buses that transport children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 547.701, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
(e)  In this subsection, "bus" includes a school bus, school
activity bus, multifunction school activity bus, or
school-chartered bus.  Except as otherwise provided by this
subsection, a [A] bus operated by or contracted for use by a school
district for the transportation of schoolchildren shall be equipped
with a three-point seat belt for each passenger, including the
operator.  A bus shall be equipped with a two-point seat belt for
each passenger, including the operator, if the board of trustees
(1)  determines it is not feasible, in consideration of
the district's budget and student needs, for the district to equip
the district's buses with three-point seat belts as required by
(2)  [This subsection does not apply to:
[(1)  a bus purchased by a school district that is a
[(2)  a bus purchased by a school district that is a
model year 2018 or later if the board of trustees for the school
[(A)  determines that the district's budget does
not permit the district to purchase a bus that is equipped with the
seat belts required by this subsection; and
[(B)]  votes to approve that determination in a
(f)  A school district may accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any public or private source to implement the
requirements of Subsection (e).
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.