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Bill

A 2035

Requires MVC to conduct unscheduled surprise inspections of certain school buses.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese and 4 co-sponsors

The bill adds unscheduled, surprise in-terminal school bus inspections to ensure ongoing safety checks of buses, equipment, maintenance, and driver records.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee
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Bill Summary · A 2035

Summary: A 2035 (Session 222) – New Jersey Bill on Unscheduled School Bus Inspections

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill amends the School Bus Enhanced Safety Inspection Act (P.L.1999, c.5) to require the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to add unscheduled, surprise inspections to the existing inspection framework.
  • It aims to strengthen school bus safety by ensuring ongoing, unannounced verification of buses, equipment, maintenance, and driver records, in addition to the currently required annual scheduled inspection.

Key Provisions and Changes

Inspections

  • The MVC must conduct a minimum of two annual in-terminal inspections of school buses:
    • One inspection must be scheduled and performed by MVC inspectors.
    • The other must be an unscheduled surprise inspection conducted by MVC inspectors.
  • In-terminal inspections must include an emissions check for diesel vehicles to ensure compliance with state emission standards.
  • If an operator lacks adequate terminal facilities for inspection, the MVC Chief Administrator can designate an alternate site and require the operator to present buses and records there.

Standards and Records

  • The bill reinforces standards for:
    • Equipment, maintenance, and repair of school buses subject to inspection.
    • Maintenance and inspection records for all buses in an operator’s fleet.
    • Driver employment records, including documentation confirming compliance with all regulatory requirements to operate a school bus.
  • All required records must be available to inspectors during inspections.

Scheduling and Inspections

  • The Chief Administrator determines the time and location of inspections and reinspections.
  • If a reinspection is required after an initial inspection, it must occur within three days, unless the operator agrees to a different schedule.

Penalties and Enforcement

  • Violations related to driver records, failure to retain or present records, or falsification of records can result in fines ranging from $50 to $500 per violation, with a schedule of fines established by the Chief Administrator.
  • Fines collected for violations are to be used to fund the continued administration of the school bus safety inspection program.
  • The enforcement framework includes authority for summonses, injunctive relief, and collaboration with prosecutors; enforcement can occur through the Superior or municipal courts.

Effective Date

  • The act takes effect on the first day of the first full fiscal year following enactment.
  • The MVC Chief Administrator may take anticipatory actions to implement the act timely.

Who Is Affected

  • School bus operators under the MVC’s jurisdiction.
  • MVC inspectors responsible for conducting in-terminal inspections.
  • Drivers and other personnel responsible for maintaining driver employment and bus maintenance records.
  • Municipalities and courts may be involved in enforcement and penalties.

Timeline and Process

  • Annual inspection cadence: at least two inspections per bus per year (one scheduled, one unscheduled).
  • Unscheduled inspections can occur at primary sites or designated alternate sites if terminal facilities are inadequate.
  • Re-inspections, when needed, must occur within three days (absent an agreed schedule).

Overall Impact

  • The bill enhances bus safety oversight by adding surprise inspections, emphasizing emissions compliance, and tightening record-keeping and enforcement mechanisms. It directs funding from fines back into the safety inspection program and clarifies operational procedures for inspection scheduling and site suitability.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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