Plano ISD Faces Millions in Costs for New Bus Seat Belts

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Plano Independent School District may need to spend up to $16 million to replace school buses that lack three-point seat belts under a new unfunded state mandate, even though most of its fleet already complies. District leaders are rushing to meet a May reporting deadline while hoping lawmakers eventually provide funding, as nearby Allen ISD faces similarly high costs to upgrade its buses.

Why it matters

This new state law requiring seat belts on school buses has created an unfunded mandate that is putting a significant financial strain on local school districts. Plano ISD and other districts must now divert funds from other priorities to comply, raising concerns about the impact on educational programs and budgets.

The details

Under the new Texas law, school districts must equip all buses purchased after 2017 with three-point seat belts. Plano ISD estimates it will need up to $16 million to replace buses in its fleet that lack the required safety features, even though most of its buses already meet the new standards. District leaders are scrambling to meet a May reporting deadline to the state, all while hoping the Texas legislature will eventually provide funding assistance to help cover these unexpected costs.

• The new state law requiring three-point seat belts on school buses was passed in 2021.
• Plano ISD has a May 2023 reporting deadline to the state on its compliance with the new seat belt mandate.

What’s next

Plano ISD and other affected districts are hoping the Texas Legislature will provide funding assistance to help cover the costs of upgrading their bus fleets to meet the new seat belt requirements before the May 2023 reporting deadline.