HOUSE BILL 97

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION; REQUIRING SCHOOL BUSES WITH WHEELCHAIR LIFTS TO BE AIR-CONDITIONED; REQUIRING A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF OTHER SCHOOL BUSES TO BE AIR-CONDITIONED.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 22, Article 16 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] AIR CONDITIONING ON SCHOOL BUSES.--

          A. Except as otherwise provided in this section:

                (1) all school buses with wheelchair lifts shall be air-conditioned by the 2007-2008 school year; and

                (2) at least twenty-five percent of all school buses used in a school district shall be air-conditioned by the 2007-2008 school year.

          B. A school district may apply to the department for a waiver of the requirement in Subsection A of this section for buses other than buses with wheelchair lifts if the school district demonstrates that normal temperatures during the school year, including summer school, do not warrant air conditioning. The department shall establish by rule requirements for the air-conditioning waiver."

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