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Santa Fe ISD board warns of large cost to comply with new three-point seat-belt law for buses
Summary
District staff told trustees a new Texas law requiring three-point seat belts on school buses by 2029 could cost roughly $35,000—$100,000 per retrofit or about $120,000 per new bus; with 20—25 buses potentially noncompliant, staff estimated the district's bill at roughly $2 million and said seeking a waiver from TEA is likely.
Trustees heard a detailed briefing on a recent state law that requires three-point seat belts on school buses; district staff said the rule will be difficult to meet without dedicated state funding. Alex Sanchez told the board the law requires three-point harnesses and that districts must retrofit older buses or buy new vehicles by 2029, unless the district secures a waiver from the Texas Education Agency.
"It is required by law that all school buses contain a three-point seat belt harness for our students," Sanchez said,…
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