5.__School bus construction.__A motor vehicle operated as a school bus must be constructed to meet or exceed all relevant Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as defined in 49 United States Code, Chapter 301, Subchapter II.

Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §2307, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

4. Fee. The operator of an official school bus inspection station is entitled to a fee of $8 $20 for each school bus inspected. The fee does not include labor or material used in correction of faults.

Sec. 7. Application. Sections 1 and 2 of this Act apply to all vehicles manufactured after the effective date of this Act.

Sec. 8. Effective date. Section 1 of this Act takes effect 6 months following the effective date of this Act.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the motor vehicle laws to clarify that any motor vehicle carrying more than 10 passengers is classified as a school bus and must meet all the federal and state safety, inspection, construction, lighting, marking and driver licensure requirements of a school bus. The bill also increases the fee to school bus inspection stations.