HOUSE REPUBLICAN STAFF ANALYSIS ________________________________________________________________________ Bill: Committee: Date: Floor Manager: Staff:
Senate File 339 Education May 7, 2013 Rep. Koester Jason Chapman (1-3015)
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School Vehicle Inspections Senate File 339 requires inspection of non-bus vehicles that must: Be used to transport children Pass inspection to be used, or have 30 days to fix if it fails inspection Be removed from service if it fails the second inspection, and remain out of service until it passes. Doesn’t include private vehicles not operated for compensation. Fiscal Impact: Beginning in FY 2014, the estimated statewide total cost to local school districts is estimated to be $163,680. The average cost per school district is estimated to be $470.
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Summary of Action The Senate PASSED SF 339 on March 13, 2013, by a vote of 46-2. The House Education Committee PASSED SF 339 on March 26, 2013, by a vote of 22-0.
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Section by Section Analysis Sections 1 through 6 – State Aid for Transportation – Department Powers and Duties Adds to required inspections of buses “all vehicles otherwise regularly used to transport children.” This is defined as every vehicle used to transport children except school buses, privately owned vehicles not operated for compensation, vehicles exclusively used to transport immediate family members, vehicles used to transport the general public, authorized emergency vehicles, and those used incidentally to transport children. If a vehicle does not pass inspection, it must be inspected again within 30 days. A second failure means the vehicle is removed from service until it passes an inspection. The State Board is to adopt rules for uniform inspections. 1
Violation constitutes a misdemeanor.
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Amendments H-1220 by Committee (Koester) – Makes clarifying changes. Adds language about a subsequent vehicle inspection, should the vehicle fail the first inspection. The State Board is to adopt rules defining the procedure for returning vehicles to service that were taken out of service for failing an inspection. The definitions should include that a deficiency means the vehicle poses an immediate risk to the safety of the driver, passengers, or the public. Also adds that a person who knowingly falsifies an inspection record after an out-of-service violation is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. H-1240 by Ruff – Requires that subsequent inspections, after a vehicle has failed an inspection already, are to be done by the Department of Education.
