6A-3.0291: Specifications for New School Buses
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule amendment is to implement Floridas statutory requirements to effect safe and efficient transportation of Florida public school students by county school districts and charter schools. The effect is the adoption of the Florida School Bus Specifications, 2008, with required changes reflecting public expectations and higher benchmarks among student transportation providers for the safety of students.
SUMMARY: This rule is amended to adopt the revised school bus specifications.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1006.25 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1006.22, 1006.25 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: June 17, 2008, 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: Tampa Airport Marriott, Tampa, Florida
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Charlie Hood, Office of School Transportation, Department of Education
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
6A-3.0291 Specifications for New School Buses.
(1) School buses purchased each year shall conform to current National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures of the National Conference on School Transportation, current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and to specifications prescribed by the State Board for body, chassis and special equipment as provided in Section 1006.25, Florida Statutes. Each school bus as defined by Section 1006.25(1), Florida Statutes, shall meet the requirements of the Florida School Bus Specifications applicable for the year the bus was manufactured or the previous year if specifications were not revised and approved for a given year. Specifications shall incorporate the specific standards as approved by the State Board prior to and including the following years: 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006, and 2008 revised. Copies of the above specifications are on file and available from the School Transportation Management Section, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. Specifications may vary for different sizes and types of buses to meet specific needs and conditions. Bid forms prepared under the direction of the Commissioner shall incorporate basic specifications and equipment.
(2) Any school district may, at its option, upgrade any school bus or buses with equipment meeting specifications which are current at the time of the upgrade.
(3) The Chief Financial Officer may approve special equipment differing from or not prescribed in Florida School Bus Specifications for the specific purpose of limited pilot testing to determine if such equipment provides substantive improvements in safety or cost effectiveness. Pilot testing of equipment shall not be approved until the Chief Financial Officer has determined to the extent practical that the equipment will not compromise safety.
Specific Authority 1006.25 FS. Law Implemented 1006.22, 1006.25 FS. HistoryAmended 9-17-72, 7-20-74, Repromulgated 12-5-74, Amended 11-10-83, 3-28-84, 10-8-84, 10-8-85, Formerly 6A-3.29, Amended 8-19-86, 9-30-87, 10-4-88, 12-11-89, 12-18-90, 11-10-92, 9-5-93, 11-15-94, 10-18-95, Formerly 6A-3.029, Amended 6-11-00, Formerly 6-3.029, Amended 4-21-03, 2-22-05, 11-26-06,________.
Cf. Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, January 1965;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, Chassis 1966; Body 1966;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, January 1966;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1968;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1969;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1970;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1971;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1972;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1973;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, November 1974;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, January 1975;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, Chassis October 1976; Body October 1976, No Type A; No Exceptional Child; Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, Body, Chassis, Type A, and Exceptional Child, March 1977;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1978;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, Amended, 1979;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, November 1980;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1982;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1983;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, January 1984;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, September 1984;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, September 1985;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, July 1986;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, October 1987;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1988;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1989;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1990;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1992;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1993;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 1995;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 2000;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 2002;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 2004;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 2006;
Florida School Bus Specifications Revised, 2008.
