Consideration and possible action on SB 546 three-point seat belt requirement (§547.701(e), Transportation Code): Review current bus fleet inventory (number of district-owned and contracted buses with no seat belts, two-point seat belts, or three-point seat belts); Review estimated cost to retrofit or replace all non-compliant buses with three-point seat belts; If budget does not permit compliance

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

6.C. Consideration and possible action on SB 546 three-point seat belt requirement (§547.701(e), Transportation Code): Review current bus fleet inventory (number of district-owned and contracted buses with no seat belts, two-point seat belts, or three-point seat belts); Review estimated cost to retrofit or replace all non-compliant buses with three-point seat belts; If budget does not permit compliance, formal invocation of the exception under §547.701(e)(1); Direction to Superintendent to submit the required §547.701(f) report to TEA by May 29, 2026; and Authorization to accept gifts, grants, and donations under §547.701(h).

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 4.8/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).