CHAPTER NO 562.

HOUSE BILL NO. 401

By Representatives Westmoreland, Godsey, Givens, Maddox, Fitzhugh, Brenda Turner, Buck, Roach, Mumpower

Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 297

By Senator Ramsey

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 21, relative to school vans.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-2115, is amended by deleting the second sentence thereof and substituting the following:

A van type vehicle used only to transport students to and from school-related activities is not required to comply with 23 C.F.R. 1204-4 Guide 17 or any other federal standards, guidelines, or recommendations, but shall comply with applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education.

SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49. Chapter 6, Part 21, is amended by adding the following as a new section:

Section__. Any local education agency may transport not more than fifteen (15) students to and from an interscholastic athletic or other interscholastic or school sponsored activity in a motor vehicle designed for the transportation of not less than seven (7) nor more than sixteen (16) persons, commonly referred to as a van, provided that the van is operated by or for the agency under a rental or for hire arrangement entered into by the agency with respect to the specific activity in connection with which such transportation is to be furnished. Any local education agency furnishing transportation for students under the authority of this section shall insure against any loss or liability of the agency resulting from the maintenance, operation, or use of such vehicle, and shall comply with applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education.

SECTION 3. Nothing in this act shall be construed as affecting or altering the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 4, relative to commercial driver licenses or the circumstances under which a commercial driver license is required.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

PASSED: JANUARY 14, 1998

APPROVED this day of 1998

Pursuant to Article III, Section 18, of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, the Governor had House Bill No. 401 in his possession longer than ten (10) days, so therefore the bill becomes law without the Governor's signature.