House Bill 1856, also known as Senate Bill 1951, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, regarding school transportation. The bill introduces a new provision allowing conventional or Class D school buses used exclusively for transporting students to after-school programs to remain in service until they reach either twenty years from their in-service date or accumulate three hundred thousand miles of recorded travel, whichever occurs later. After reaching this threshold, the bus can continue to operate for the remainder of the school year, but must be replaced or discontinued at the end of that school year. Additionally, the bus must meet safety requirements, and the owner is required to notify the department of safety in writing when the bus reaches the specified limits.

The bill also removes the previous limitation that restricted the use of such buses to a maximum of eighteen years from their in-service date. This change aims to provide more flexibility in the operation of school buses, particularly those serving after-school programs, while ensuring that safety standards are maintained. The act will take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the importance of public welfare in its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-2109(b), 49-6-2109, 49-6-2109(b)(4)