SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6184

BYSenators Bender, Murray, Warnke, Bauer and Moore

Requiring that school buses meet certain federal safety standards.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1990; February 1, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6184 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Bender, Benitz, Conner, DeJarnatt, Madsen, Murray, Nelson, Patrick.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  February 2, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1403) was enacted into Public Law 89-563, directing the Secretary of Transportation to issue Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for multipurpose passenger vehicles, buses, school buses, passenger cars and motorcycles. 

Effective April 1, 1977, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued three new federal motor vehicle safety standards and modified four others to enhance the safety of school bus transportation.  Additional standards have been added to date, and still others are in the process of being developed.

All Type I school buses with a gross vehicle weight greater than 10,000 pounds, manufactured after April 1, 1977, must be equipped with specific safety equipment including padded, energy-absorbing seats and higher seat backs to "compartmentalize" and protect passengers during a crash; also specific window releases, rearview mirrors, rollover protection, body joint strength, inflammable seat covers, separation and protection of the fuel system, etc.

There are approximately 2,138 "Pre-1977" school buses still in use by school districts in Washington State today, some of them constructed in the 1950's and 1960's.  These buses do not contain all of the safety features that have been built into the buses manufactured after April l, 1977.

SUMMARY:

All school buses regularly operated by a school district must comply with the following Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards:

      (1)Standard 105 "Hydraulic brake system";

      (2)Standard 111 "Rearview Mirrors";

      (3)Standard 217 "Bus window retention and release";

      (4)Standard 220 "School bus rollover protection";

      (5)Standard 221 "School bus body joint strength";

      (6)Standard 222 "School bus passenger seating and crash protection";

      (7)Standard 301 "Fuel system integrity"; and

      (8)Standard 302 "Flammability of interior materials."

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop a proposed plan for phasing out the use of school buses that do not meet the 1977 federal motor vehicle safety standards over a five-year period.  The department shall submit its report to the members of the Legislative Transportation Committee and the House and Senate Education Committees by December 1, 1990.

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 act shall take effect immediately.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 16,1990

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

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Bender, prime sponsor; Don Carnahan, Superintendent of Public Instruction's Office