WASHINGTON, D.C. — Days after the industry received a preview of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2009, the final legislation has now been made available to the public.

The 775-page bill, constructed by Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN.) and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, makes mention of school buses about halfway through the document, unlike the preview released on June 18.

On page 442, under “SEC. 2003. Highway Safety Programs,” each state will be required to establish and carry out uniform guidelines for its highway safety programs, including a program “to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from crashes involving school buses.”

As mentioned in a previous article, Chair Oberstar and Committee Ranking Republican Leader Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) promised to pass the bill by the end of September.