hb790_LC_21_9412_a_2.html
07 LC 21 9412
House Bill 790
By: Representatives Amerson of the 9th, Day of the 163rd, Burkhalter of the 50th, Keen of the 179th, Coleman of the 97th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT


To amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and observances, so as to declare the third week in October "School Bus Safety Week"; to make certain findings of fact; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
WHEREAS, every day, a fleet of yellow school buses carry Georgia´s children to and from school; and

WHEREAS, the state´s school buses comprise the state´s largest mass transportation fleet, and each day during the school year, school buses make many passenger trips carrying the state´s future–our children; and

WHEREAS, school buses meet higher construction, equipment, and inspection standards than any other vehicle, and school bus drivers meet higher qualification, training, and testing standards than any other drivers; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Academy of Sciences, an average of 820 students are killed annually during school transportation hours, but less than 2 percent of them are school bus passengers; and

WHEREAS, despite the industry´s best efforts, accidents still happen; and

WHEREAS, "School Bus Safety Week," which is celebrated in more than 40 other states and sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, was created to remind all students of the best ways to get on and off the bus in an effort to enhance the safety of the nation´s children; and

WHEREAS, "School Bus Safety Week," which dates back to 1966, also recognizes the hard work and dedication of school transportation personnel, especially the many school bus drivers who ensure a safe journey each and every day; and

WHEREAS, "School Bus Safety Week," celebrated the third week in October, promotes awareness through local and state poster and speech contests, lessons utilizing school bus safety community awareness kits, and other activities built around themes that raise awareness of school bus safety issues.

SECTION 2.
Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and observances, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"1-4-17.
The third week in October of every year is designated 'School Bus Safety Week' in Georgia."

SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.