Safe Bus Routes to School Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4488
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-28T14:36:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to expand the existing Safe Routes to School program under federal highway law to explicitly include safety improvements for school bus routes and stops, enhancing student transportation safety.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The Act is named the "Safe Bus Routes to School Act."
- Definitions: Adds a definition for "school bus route" as a regularly traveled course by school buses for student pick-up and drop-off, approved by the local education agency.
- Program Expansion: Amends Section 208 of title 23, United States Code, to add safer school bus routes and stops as an eligible purpose for funding.
- Eligible Activities:
- Infrastructure projects may include sidewalk improvements, traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossings, bus stop waiting areas, and traffic diversion on school bus routes.
- Noninfrastructure activities may include public awareness campaigns, outreach to community leaders, traffic enforcement near bus routes, and student education on bus safety rules.
- Highway Safety Integration: Amends the Highway Safety Improvement Program (Section 148) to recognize safe routes to school infrastructure projects and school bus stop safety as eligible safety measures.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extends the Safe Routes to School framework, previously focused on walking and biking, to cover bus-based transportation.
- Broadens fund eligibility under both the Safe Routes to School and Highway Safety Improvement programs to address bus route hazards.
- Updates project categories to prioritize infrastructure and education specific to bus stops and routes.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases planning and funding responsibilities for state and local transportation departments, requiring coordination with schools on route safety projects.
- Citizens: May improve safety for students and families using school buses through better infrastructure and awareness efforts.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Students and families relying on school bus transportation.
- Local education agencies and school districts.
- State and local departments of transportation.
- Community organizations and traffic safety advocates.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Operates within Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and fund highway programs, with no apparent constitutional conflicts.
- Promotes public safety through targeted federal funding without creating new regulatory mandates on private entities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Safe Bus Routes to School Act — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (4 pages)