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Buckle Up, Texas: What SB 546 Means for School Districts

Senate Bill 546 (“SB 546”) was passed in the 89th Legislative Session for the purpose of requiring each bus operated by or contracted for use by a school district for the transportation of schoolchildren to be equipped with a three-point seat belt for each passenger, including the operator. The only exceptions are if the board of trustees determines the district’s budget does not allow for purchasing buses with three-point seat belts, or if retrofitting a bus would void its manufacturer’s warranty. The Texas Education Agency (“TEA”) has set a deadline of May 29, 2026, for every Texas school district to access and complete the Bus Reporting Requirement in Sentinel. The detailed requirements set forth by TEA are as follows:

1. Confirm Fleet Status

• Log in to the Bus Reporting Module in Sentinel and indicate whether the district provides student transportation.
• If the district does not provide transportation, reporting is complete.
• If the district does provide transportation, check whether all buses have three-point seat belts for the driver and all passengers.
  • If so, answer the verification questions in Sentinel, and reporting is complete.
  • If not, continue with the next steps.

 2. Board Budget Determination

• The board must decide whether the district’s budget allows for purchasing buses with three-point seat belts.
• Regardless of the result, keep a copy of the board’s decision as reflected in the board agenda and minutes for that meeting.
• Gather fleet information, including the number of buses that are:
  • Fully equipped with three-point seat belts (driver and passengers);
  • Fully equipped with two-point (lap) seat belts for passengers;
  • No passenger seat belts;
  • Mixed: three-point and two-point seat belts;
  • Mixed: three-point and no passenger seat belts; and
  • Mixed: two-point and no passenger seat belts.
• Check whether retrofitting any buses would void the manufacturer’s warranty. Buses that would lose the warranty do not need to be updated. Record the number of affected buses.

Obtain cost estimates for retrofitting buses so that all seats have three-point seat belts. Keep a written copy of each estimate. If the board determines the budget does NOT allow for purchasing buses with three-point seat belts, the District must additionally:

• Prepare a report documenting the board’s determination, including:
  • The number of buses operated or contracted by the district that have no seat belts; are equipped with two-point seat belts; and are equipped with three-point seat belts; and
  • The estimated cost to retrofit each bus without three-point seat belts.
• Present this report at a public board meeting.
• Retain board agenda, board minutes, and a copy of the report to upload in Sentinel.

3. Submit the Report to TEA

• Upload the completed report, cost estimate, and the required board documents in the Bus Reporting Module in Sentinel.

 Please note that, while not contemplated by SB 546 or TEA guidance, there have been documented concerns regarding retrofitting older buses with three-point seat belts.  In particular, there is a concern that certain older bus floors may not be designed to support the forces associated with retrofitted seating, which could affect the effectiveness of seat belts in the event of a collision. It is our advice that each district’s board consider this possibility, and the potential liability implications, when conducting the above-referenced board budget determination.

Throughout this process, districts should be sure to keep copies of the board agenda and minutes from the budget determination board meeting, the board agenda and minutes from the meeting where the report was presented (if any), the district’s fleet inventory information, the number of buses affected by warranty limitations, and the retrofit cost estimate. To meet the May 29, 2026 deadline, school boards should address this matter no later than their April meeting so the required board agendas and minutes are ready on time. Finally, please note that SB 546 does not require any bus to be equipped with three-point seat belts until September 1, 2029. If you have any questions or would like assistance ensuring compliance with SB 546, please do not hesitate to contact our office.