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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to crossing arms on buses that transport schoolchildren. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 547.701, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (f) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) A school bus shall be equipped with: |
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(1) a convex mirror or other device that reflects to |
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the school bus operator a clear view of the area immediately in |
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front of the vehicle that would otherwise be hidden from view; [and] |
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(2) signal lamps that: |
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(A) are mounted as high and as widely spaced |
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laterally as practicable; |
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(B) display four alternately flashing red |
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lights, two located on the front at the same level and two located |
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on the rear at the same level; and |
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(C) emit a light visible at a distance of 500 feet |
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in normal sunlight; and |
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(3) if the vehicle is a model year 2021 or later, a |
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school bus crossing arm mounted on the vehicle's front bumper that: |
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(A) is at least 70 inches long and not longer than |
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the vehicle's width; and |
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(B) when activated, extends outward in front of |
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the vehicle to require students who cross the roadway in front of |
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the school bus to maintain a safe distance between themselves and |
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the school bus. |
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(c) When a school bus is being stopped or is stopped on a |
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highway to permit students to board or exit the bus, the operator of |
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the bus shall activate all flashing warning signal lights, a school |
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bus crossing arm required under Subsection (a)(3), and any other |
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equipment on the bus designed to warn other drivers that the bus is |
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stopping to load or unload children. |
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(f) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may |
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solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source to |
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implement the requirement of Subsection (a)(3). |
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SECTION 2. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this |
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section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2026. |
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(b) Section 547.701(f), Transportation Code, as added by |
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this Act, takes effect September 1, 2025. |