Bill Text: TX HB1619 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to crossing arms on buses that transport schoolchildren.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-12-13 - Filed [HB1619 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB1619-Introduced.html
  89R4825 GP-D
 
  By: Johnson H.B. No. 1619
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to crossing arms on buses that transport schoolchildren.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 547.701, Transportation Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (f) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A school bus shall be equipped with:
               (1)  a convex mirror or other device that reflects to
  the school bus operator a clear view of the area immediately in
  front of the vehicle that would otherwise be hidden from view; [and]
               (2)  signal lamps that:
                     (A)  are mounted as high and as widely spaced
  laterally as practicable;
                     (B)  display four alternately flashing red
  lights, two located on the front at the same level and two located
  on the rear at the same level; and
                     (C)  emit a light visible at a distance of 500 feet
  in normal sunlight; and
               (3)  if the vehicle is a model year 2021 or later, a
  school bus crossing arm mounted on the vehicle's front bumper that:
                     (A)  is at least 70 inches long and not longer than
  the vehicle's width; and
                     (B)  when activated, extends outward in front of
  the vehicle to require students who cross the roadway in front of
  the school bus to maintain a safe distance between themselves and
  the school bus.
         (c)  When a school bus is being stopped or is stopped on a
  highway to permit students to board or exit the bus, the operator of
  the bus shall activate all flashing warning signal lights, a school
  bus crossing arm required under Subsection (a)(3), and any other
  equipment on the bus designed to warn other drivers that the bus is
  stopping to load or unload children.
         (f)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
  solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source to
  implement the requirement of Subsection (a)(3).
         SECTION 2.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
  section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2026.
         (b)  Section 547.701(f), Transportation Code, as added by
  this Act, takes effect September 1, 2025.
feedback