HB1319 • 2026

School bus speed; establish maximum speed to be operated on authorized trips at 65 mph.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-41-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE MAXIMUM SPEED THAT A SCHOOL BUS MAY TRAVEL WHEN TRANSPORTING CHILDREN ON AUTHORIZED TRIPS SHALL NOT EXCEED 65 MPH EVEN IF THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS GREATER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Children Education

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: McCarty
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide details on fines or employment consequences beyond stating that violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines between $25 and $100, with possible discharge from employment.

School Bus Speed Limit

This bill sets a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour for school buses when transporting children on authorized trips, regardless of the posted speed limit.

What This Bill Does

Sets a new rule that school buses cannot go faster than 65 mph while carrying kids on approved trips.

Who It Names or Affects

School bus drivers

Terms To Know

Authorized trips: Officially approved transportation routes for school buses.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass, so the new speed limit rules would not have gone into effect.
It only applies to school buses on authorized trips, not regular routes to and from schools.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (H) Referred To Education

Official Summary Text

School bus speed; establish maximum speed to be operated on authorized trips at 65 mph.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 1319 *HR43/R1513* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R1513
PAGE 1 (DJ\KP)

To: Education
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative McCarty

HOUSE BILL NO. 1319

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-41-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO ESTABLISH THE MAXIMUM SPEED THAT A SCHOOL BUS MAY TRAVEL WHEN 2
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN ON AUTHORIZED TRIPS SHALL NOT EXCEED 65 MPH 3
EVEN IF THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS GREATER; AND FOR RELATED 4
PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. Section 37-41-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 7
amended as follows: 8
31-41-47. It shall be unlawful for a driver of any school 9
bus, whether a public or a contract bus, to drive said bus at a 10
speed greater than forty-five (45) miles per hour while 11
transporting children to and from school on regular routes; 12
however, the maximum speed for interstate highways shall be 13
sixty-five (65) miles per hour. However, any such driver, while 14
operating a school bus on other authorized trips, shall not drive 15
said school bus at a speed greater than * * * the posted speed 16
limit for the roadway, provided that, in no event shall the driver 17
exceed sixty-five (65) miles per hour, even if the posted speed 18
limit is greater than sixty-five (65) miles per hour. Any person 19
H. B. No. 1319 *HR43/R1513* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1513
PAGE 2 (DJ\KP)
ST: School bus speed; establish maximum speed
to be operated on authorized trips at 65 mph.
who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty 20
of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not 21
less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred 22
Dollars ($100.00) for each such offense. In addition thereto, 23
upon such conviction, such driver may be discharged from further 24
employment as a school bus driver or carrier and his contract as 25
such may be terminated. 26
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 27
and after July 1, 2026. 28