HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2519

BYRepresentatives G. Fisher, Holland, Peery, Cole, Betrozoff, Brumsickle, Dorn, R. Fisher, Jones, Spanel, R. Meyers, Schoon, Walker, Phillips, P. King, Rector, Dellwo, Scott, Miller, Jacobsen, Basich, Wood, Winsley and Todd

Phasing out the use of school buses that do not meet the 1977 federal motor vehicle safety standards.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Cole, Horn, Jones, Phillips, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle and Walker.

House Staff:Bob Butts (786-7841)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION JANUARY 24, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1977, the federal government adopted new safety standards for the design and construction of school buses.  The standards included measures to reduce the risk of fires, prevent facial and other injuries resulting from unpadded seats, improve emergency exits, and increase the structural integrity of buses. Research has shown that these added safety measures have been effective in reducing injuries resulting from school bus accidents.

The 1977 standards did not require that the existing school bus fleet be retrofitted.  It is estimated that approximately 2000 of these pre-1977 buses, which do not have the added safety features, are currently in use by school districts in the state.

In May 1988, a pre-1977 bus was involved in an accident in Kentucky that resulted in the death of 26 students and the driver.  Investigators found that the deaths resulted from a fire that spread quickly through the bus, and from inadequate emergency exits.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  Public school districts shall not purchase, lease, or contract for the use of school buses that do not meet the 1977 federal motor vehicle safety standards.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) shall develop a plan for phasing out the use of pre-1977 buses by school districts in the state.  The plan shall be presented to the education committees of the legislature by December 1, 1990.

By September 1, 1991, the SPI shall adopt standards to reduce the likelihood of burn injuries resulting from school bus accidents.  SPI shall determine if the flammability standards should be applied retroactively to the existing bus fleet.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The amendment provides SPI direction in determining whether the bus flammability standards should be applied retroactively.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Don Carahan, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Buses built after 1977 are much safer than buses built before 1977.  The recent bus accident in Snohomish County demonstrates why pre-1977 buses should be phased out.  If the children had been riding a bus built after 1977, it is unlikely the facial and teeth injuries would have occurred.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.