SB373 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

School buses, change depreciation and fleet renewal schedule to 12 year cycle, Sec. 16-13-233 am'd.

Summary

SB373 would shift Alabama's school bus replacement from a 10-year cycle to a 12-year cycle and allow waivers to operate buses beyond that age under safety rules, while requiring depreciation funds to be set aside for fleet renewal.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a 12-year replacement schedule for school buses. Local boards of education may apply for year-to-year waivers to use buses beyond 12 years, up to 15 years, with safety inspections and required repairs. The State Superintendent of Education would conduct inspections (at least twice annually) and can order repairs or removal if a bus is unsafe, including a requirement that steering, braking, and exhaust systems be reconditioned or replaced for waivers. Depreciation funding in the transportation allowance would be based on the 12-year schedule and would be set aside in a restricted fund for fleet renewal, carried forward each year and not used for operating costs; the two-mile transport limit can be waived to protect safety.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education in Alabama—impact how they fund, manage, and renew bus fleets and whether they can obtain waivers to keep older buses in service.

Key Provisions

• Amendment to move from a 10-year to a 12-year bus replacement schedule.
• Depreciation funding for transportation is based on a 12-year schedule and must be set aside in a restricted fleet-renewal fund, not used for operating costs, and carried forward each year.
• Local boards may apply for year-to-year waivers to operate buses beyond 12 years, up to 15 years.
• Buses with waivers (12- to 15-year-old) must be inspected at least twice annually; inspectors may require repairs or replacement and can order removal if unsafe.
• Steering, braking, and exhaust systems on buses with waivers must be thoroughly reconditioned or replaced prior to continued use.
• If a 15-year waiver ends within 180 days after the school year ends, the bus may continue in service for up to 180 days (or until the year ends, whichever is shorter) with an additional inspection.
• The State Superintendent may waive the two-mile transportation limit to protect safety.
• Effective date: immediate upon passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

School Buses