A. As used in this title:

1. “Transportation equipment” means any vehicle or conveyance used for transportation of pupils from their homes to school and from school to their homes when the cost of rent, lease, purchase, maintenance, or operation of said vehicle or conveyance is defrayed in whole or in part from public school funds; and

2. “Auxiliary transportation equipment” includes but is not limited to equipment used for transporting students to and from extracurricular activities but does not include transportation equipment used for transporting students from their homes to school and from school to their homes.

B. 1. All transportation equipment shall be of such construction as to provide safe, comfortable and economical transportation of passengers. All such equipment which is used to transport ten or more public school children at one time shall be constructed, maintained and operated in accordance with all requirements of laws of the State of Oklahoma and rules of the State Board of Education.

2. All auxiliary transportation equipment shall be of such construction as to provide safe, comfortable and economical transportation of passengers. All auxiliary transportation equipment which is used to transport ten or more public school children at one time shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with all requirements of laws of this state.

C. Nothing in this act shall prevent the bidding by and purchase of new or used transportation equipment or new or used auxiliary transportation equipment from out-of-state dealers so long as they comply with Section 561 et seq. of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes regulating and licensing manufacturers, distributors, dealers, salesmen, etc., and hold a current motor vehicle dealers’ license.

D. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a district board of education may paint or purchase auxiliary transportation equipment in a color or colors other than National School Bus Yellow.

E. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Added by Laws 1971, c. 281, § 9-104, eff. July 2, 1971. Amended by Laws 1974, c. 244, § 2; Laws 1994, c. 138, § 1, eff. July 1, 1994; Laws 2004, c. 533, § 1, eff. July 1, 2004.