EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A new Texas law requiring three-point seatbelts on school buses is prompting the Socorro Independent School District to weigh the cost of upgrading its fleet.<\/p>\n
Later today, the district\u2019s board of trustees is set to learn more about the impacts of Senate Bill 546, which passed last year. <\/p>\n
The law requires all buses in Texas school districts to have three-point seatbelts by Sept. 1, 2029. <\/p>\n
Districts also must report estimated costs to the Texas Education Agency by May 29.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: TEA conservator Michael Hinojosa announces departure from Socorro ISD<\/a><\/p>\n Agenda documents show SISD has 275 buses. <\/p>\n Of those, 129 already have three-point seatbelts, 84 have two-point seatbelts and 62 have no seatbelts.<\/p>\n The three-point seatbelts go across the chest and lap. <\/p>\n Retrofitting the current fleet is estimated at just under $3.5 million, according to agenda documents.<\/p>\n Buying new buses would cost nearly $23 million, including about $8.5 million for 50 standard buses and just under $14.5 million for 80 special education buses.<\/p>\n According to the TEA\u2019s website, districts will be able to participate in grant funding, with more details expected to be available at a later time.<\/p>\n FULL PRESENTATION:<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: Socorro ISD considers $2,500 incentive for voluntary employee resignations<\/a><\/p>\n