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Clifton ISD hears timeline to report costs for state school-bus seat-belt mandate
Summary
Superintendent Andy Ball told the board SB 546 requires districts to inventory buses and report cost estimates for three-point seat belts by April 1, 2026, with a feasibility determination by May 1 and a final report by May 29, 2026.
Superintendent Andy Ball told the Clifton ISD Board that Senate Bill 546 requires districts to determine how many buses lack three-point seat belts, obtain estimated retrofit or replacement costs and report those estimates to the state by April 1, 2026.
"SB 546 ... requires that by the 2029-30 school year all school buses be equipped with three-point seat belts for every passenger," Ball said, outlining statutory deadlines that also call for a public presentation and a feasibility determination by May 1, 2026, with the final report due May 29, 2026. He said the district will bring the cost-feasibility discussion back to the board at its April meeting.
Why it matters: The mandate could require significant capital expenditure or phased vehicle replacement; the law also requires districts to document feasibility publicly and submit board minutes and agenda items as supporting materials. Ball’s presentation established the reporting schedule and the next board-level decision point.
What happens next: District staff will inventory the bus fleet, collect vendor cost estimates and return to the board in April with an analysis to support the May 1 feasibility determination. The board did not take a formal vote on the policy itself during the March 30 meeting.
