SENATE BILL 321

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn and Joanne J. Ferrary

AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION; REQUIRING THAT SCHOOL BUSES PURCHASED ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2019 HAVE AIR CONDITIONING; PROVIDING FOR THE CALCULATION OF SCHOOL BUS SEATING CAPACITY.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SCHOOL BUS STANDARDS--RULES.--

          A. All school buses used for the transportation of school children when the buses are owned and operated by any school district or privately owned and operated under contract with any school district in this state shall be equipped with air conditioning.

          B. In determining the seating capacity of school buses used for the transportation of school children when the buses are owned and operated by any school district or privately owned and operated under contract with any school district in this state, seating shall not exceed:

                (1) three students when the combined seated width of those students is no more than the actual width of the seat; and

                (2) two students when the combined seated width of those students is no more than the actual width of the seat.

          C. The state transportation director shall promulgate and enforce rules implementing the provisions of Subsections A and B of this section and shall ensure that training for new drivers includes standardized training in the determination of the legal capacity when loading children and the procedure for reporting an overload condition."

     SECTION 2. APPLICABILITY.--The provisions of this act apply to school buses purchased on or after July 1, 2019.

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