Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2301, sub-§§2 and 5, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, are amended to read:

2. Private school activity bus. "Private school activity bus" means a privately owned motor vehicle school bus with a carrying capacity of 10 to 15 passengers that is not operated with public funds and that is used by a private school to transport students other than to and from home and school.

5. School bus. "School bus" means a motor vehicle with a carrying capacity of 10 or more passengers used to transport children as approved by school authorities to and from school, school activities, municipally operated activities or activities of a nonprofit corporation or association. It does not include a private motor vehicle used to transport members of the owner's household, or a private school activity bus.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2302, sub-§1, ¶G, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

G. May Must be equipped with a system of stop arms in compliance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations, 571.131 (2000), to be operated only with the red signal lights; and

Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §2302, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is repealed.

Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §2305, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

4. Fire extinguisher. A school bus must have at least one dry chemical fire extinguisher:

A. Of at least 2 1/2 pound a 5-pound capacity;

B. Mounted in an automotive type manufacturer's extinguisher bracket;

C. Located in the operator's compartment in full view of and readily accessible to the operator; and

D. Having an Underwriters' Laboratories rating of not less than 10-B: C. ; and

E.__That must be inspected monthly and have a record tag attached indicating the date of the last inspection and the initials of the inspector.