§ 14-275d — Program for funding to offset sales tax on purchase of school buses equipped with seat safety belts.

(a) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall administer a program to provide funding to offset a portion of sales tax on the purchase of school buses equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat safety belts installed during the manufacture of such buses. On and after October 1, 2025, a local or regional school district may submit an application to the department, on a form provided by said department, which shall include a proposed agreement between such district and a private carrier under contract with such district for the provision of transportation of school children. Such agreement shall require such carrier to provide the district with at least one but not more than fifty school buses, each of which shall be equipped with such seat safety belts, and shall include a request by such carrier for funds in an amount equal to fifty per cent of the sales tax paid by the carrier for the purchase of any such bus purchased on or after October 1, 2025. Such agreement shall be contingent upon approval of the application and the payment of such amount by the department. The department shall make any such payments with funds available from the school bus seat belt account established pursuant to subsection (a) of section 14-50b. (b) A school district participating in the program shall provide written notice concerning the availability and proper use of such seat safety belts to a parent or legal guardian of each student who will be transported on such school bus. A school district shall instruct such students on the proper use, fastening and unfastening of such seat safety belts. (c) No local or regional school district, carrier with whom a local or regional school district has contracted for the transportation of students, or operator of a school bus shall be liable for damages for injury resulting solely from a student's use, misuse or failure to use a seat safety belt installed on a school bus used in the program established under this section. (d) The Department of Motor Vehicles, in collaboration with the Department of Education, shall inform local and regional school districts annually of the program established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and how to apply to such program. (e) During the 2030 regular session of the General Assembly, the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and education shall conduct a joint public hearing on the level of participation in such program and its effectiveness with respect to the use of such seat safety belts.

Legislative History

(P.A. 10-83, S. 1; P.A. 24-20, S. 40.) History: P.A. 10-83 effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 24-20 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “From July 1, 2011, to December 31, 2017, inclusive” with “On and after October 1, 2025,” and replace “July 1, 2011” with “October 1, 2025”, added new Subsec. (d) re annually informing local and regional school districts of program, redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e) and amended same to replace “2018” with “2030” re regular session of the General Assembly and delete provision re joint standing committees recommendation to the General Assembly and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2025.