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Presenter outlines SB 546 bus seat‑belt mandate and estimates retrofit cost; trustee moves to defer purchase
Summary
A presenter explained SB 546's requirement for three‑point seat belts on buses and offered retrofit and replacement options; the presenter cited a retrofit estimate of $380,596, and a trustee moved that the district's budget cannot sustain purchasing belts or new buses at this time.
A presenter identified in the agenda as Mr. Bugarte briefed the Fabens ISD board on Senate Bill 546, a Texas law the presenter said became effective Sept. 1, 2025, requiring three‑point seat‑belt systems on buses.
The presenter described the board's options: commission a study with cost estimates, retrofit existing buses, or replace buses. "So right now, TA is asking every school district in Texas to do a study and to come to the board to present numbers of either retrofitting the school bus with those seat belts... or to replace them with new school buses," the presenter said, and he asked trustees whether the district budget could sustain the costs.
He cited a retrofit estimate to the board: "which would be $380,596?" Board members pressed on timing and logistics and whether the district's budget could support either retrofitting or replacement. Trustee (board member) moved during discussion: "I make the motion that our budget is not good right now to buy all those buses or seat belts, I make the motion for that." The transcript records the motion and subsequent assent, but it does not record a detailed roll-call tally for this item in the public segments.
Board members asked administration to produce numbers for the board's further consideration if the board decides to pursue a study or future purchases. No formal purchase order or contract was recorded during the meeting.
