S.B. No. 195         AN ACT   relating to funding under the transportation allotment for public   school students subject to a high risk of violence while walking to   school.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 42.155, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (d-1) and (d-2) to   read as follows:          (d)  A district or county may apply for and on approval of the   commissioner receive an additional amount of up to 10 percent of its   regular transportation allotment to be used for the transportation   of children living within two miles of the school they attend who   would be subject to hazardous traffic conditions or a high risk of   violence if they walked to school.          (d-1)  For purposes of Subsection (d), each [Each] board of   trustees shall provide to the commissioner an explanation [the   definition] of the hazardous traffic conditions or areas presenting   a high risk of violence applicable to that district and shall   identify the specific hazardous or high-risk areas for which the   allocation is requested. A hazardous traffic condition exists   where no walkway is provided and children must walk along or cross a   freeway or expressway, an underpass, an overpass or a bridge, an   uncontrolled major traffic artery, an industrial or commercial   area, or another comparable condition. An area presents a high risk   of violence if law enforcement records indicate a high incidence of   violent crimes in the area.  Each board of trustees requesting funds   for an area presenting a high risk of violence must, in addition to   the explanation required by this subsection, provide the   commissioner with consolidated law enforcement records that   document violent crimes identified by reporting agencies within the   relevant jurisdiction.          (d-2)  A district or county may use all or part of any funds   received under Subsection (d) to support community walking   transportation programs, including walking school bus programs,   provided that the district or county requires each supported   program to submit a financial report to the district or county each   semester that covers services provided by the program for the   benefit of the district or county.  The commissioner shall adopt   rules governing the transportation allotment as necessary to permit   a district or county to receive funds under Subsection (d) that may   be used to support innovative school safety projects, including   community walking transportation programs as provided by this   subsection and any other appropriate safety project, including   rules defining an approved walking route mile that may be used as   necessary in implementing this subsection.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 195 passed the Senate on   May 8, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9; and that the   Senate concurred in House amendment on May 26, 2017, by the   following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 195 passed the House, with   amendment, on May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 90,   Nays 55, one present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor