House Bill No. [insert bill number] mandates that all new school buses purchased in Montana must comply with bus standards established by the Board of Public Education, specifically requiring the installation of lap-shoulder belts for each passenger. The bill outlines that school districts must adopt a publicly available lap-shoulder belt usage policy, ensuring that all passengers use the belts and that they are properly maintained. It also limits governmental liability in cases where injuries occur due to improper use of the belts by passengers, provided the school district has an enforceable policy in place. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for decreasing registration fees for school buses equipped with lap-shoulder belts and clarifies bid letting requirements for school bus transportation contracts.

The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to incorporate these changes, including definitions related to school buses and transportation services. It also specifies that differential costs associated with outfitting buses with lap-shoulder belts are not subject to the 12% limit on contract costs. Furthermore, the bill establishes that the fee in lieu of tax for school buses equipped with lap-shoulder belts will be reduced by 10%. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to school years beginning on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_1(1): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_1: 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(1): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(2): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(3): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(4): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(5): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(6): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2: 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421