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Presentation outlines $1.2M–$1.3M vehicle retrofit bill to meet Texas SB 546 seat-belt rules
Summary
Transportation staff told trustees that retrofitting noncompliant buses or replacing them to meet Texas Senate Bill 546 will likely cost roughly $1.2–$1.3 million; districts must submit inventory to TEA in May and achieve full compliance by Sept. 1, 2029.
The South San Antonio ISD transportation department presented compliance findings and cost estimates tied to Texas Senate Bill 546 at the March 16 board meeting.
The district conducted an inventory to identify buses that lack required three-point seat belts, classifying vehicles as: (1) to be auctioned because retrofit costs approach replacement cost; (2) current route buses needing retrofit (examples: two 2014 small buses with 25-passenger capacity estimated at roughly $40,000 each to retrofit); and (3) larger 71-passenger buses used for extracurriculars, estimated at roughly $112,000 to retrofit each. Transportation staff summarized the district’s near-term recommendation to prioritize retrofitting a small set of route buses and to plan multi-year replacements for the remainder.
Staff estimated approximately seven currently used buses would require retrofit to bring routes into compliance now, and a districtwide estimate of about $1.2 million to $1.3 million to retrofit and replace the necessary buses to meet the three-point seat belt requirement. The presentation noted a submission to TEA is required by May 29 for inventory/reporting in TEA’s Sentinel system, and full compliance is required by Sept. 1, 2029.
Options discussed included funding the work through the district’s local transportation budget over multiple years (e.g., budgeting roughly $400,000 per cycle), pursuing a bond to accelerate replacement, or seeking grant/donation opportunities. Staff noted that TEA labeled the requirement an unfunded mandate and said state-level grant opportunities might emerge once TEA has collected statewide inventories.
Board members asked about operational implications if all buses are retrofitted, including student buckling procedures for pre-K students (an operational concern, e.g., requiring a bus to stop and driver to step away to assist buckling), and about auction mechanics for vehicles the district elects to remove from service. Transportation staff said auction proceeds could be used toward replacements and that the district uses GovDeals with minimum bids; small buses with low retrofit cost may be prioritized for retrofit while very old vehicles may be auctioned.
No formal action was required at the March 16 briefing; staff said they were presenting findings and will submit the required TEA documentation in May.
