S.B. No. 546         AN ACT   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 Subsections (f), (g), (g-1),   and (h) to read as follows:          (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. This subsection does not apply to:                (1)  a bus operated by or contracted for use [purchased   by a school district that is a model year 2017 or earlier; or                [(2)  a bus purchased] by a school district [that is a   model year 2018 or later] if the board of trustees for the school   district[:                      [(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; or                (2)  a bus for which the warranty would become void if   the bus were equipped to comply with this subsection[; and                      [(B)  votes to approve that determination in a   public meeting].          (f)  Not later than the end of the 2025-2026 school year, the   board of trustees of a school district that makes a determination   under Subsection (e)(1) shall submit to the Texas Education Agency   and present in a public meeting of the board a report that includes:                (1)  the number of buses operated by or contracted for   use by the district that:                      (A)  are not equipped with seat belts;                      (B)  are equipped with two-point seat belts; and                      (C)  are equipped with three-point seat belts; and                (2)  the estimated cost to the district to equip with   three-point seat belts each bus operated by or contracted for use by   the district that is not equipped with three-point seat belts as   required by Subsection (e).          (g)  Not later than January 1, 2027, the Texas Education   Agency shall:                (1)  collect the information submitted under   Subsection (f);                (2)  calculate the total amount of financial assistance   needed for all school districts to come into full compliance with   Subsection (e); and                (3)  summarize and make available to the governor, the   lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,   and each member of the legislature the information described by   Subdivisions (1) and (2).          (g-1)  This subsection and Subsections (f) and (g) expire   January 1, 2028.          (h)  A school district may accept gifts, grants, and   donations from any public or private source to implement the   requirements of Subsection (e).          SECTION 2.  Notwithstanding Section 547.701(e),   Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, a school district is   not required to comply with that subsection before September 1,   2029.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 546 passed the Senate on   April 22, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 23, Nays 8.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 546 passed the House on   May 27, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 104, Nays 38, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor