House Bill 1176

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-41-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT FOR THE DRIVER OF ANY SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTING CHILDREN TO SIXTY-FIVE MILES PER HOUR ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-41-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

31-41-47. It shall be unlawful for a driver of any school bus, whether a public or a contract bus, to drive said bus at a speed greater than forty-five (45) miles per hour while transporting children to and from school on regular routes; however, the maximum speed for interstate highways shall be sixty-five (65) miles per hour. However, any such driver, while operating a school bus on other authorized trips, shall not drive said school bus at a speed greater than fifty (50) miles per hour, except the maximum speed for interstate highways shall be sixty-five (65) miles per hour. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each such offense. In addition thereto, upon such conviction, such driver may be discharged from further employment as a school bus driver or carrier and his contract as such may be terminated.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.