WASHINGTON Two U.S. senators, Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, have reintroduced comprehensive motorcoach safety legislation that failed to gain much traction last year.

The far-reaching Hutchison-Brown bill would require seatbelts and improved fire protection on motorcoaches, plus stronger roofs and windows.

In Hutchisons view, it would "overhaul and dramatically increase the safety of motorcoaches to reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by accidents."

The original Hutchison-Brown bill, introduced in late 2007, got a cool reception from the motorcoach industry because it mandated a long list of safety features with no testing to support either their effectiveness or efficacy. (See Dec. 1, 2007, Bus & Motorcoach News.)

Additionally, Brown and Hutchison were accused by some in the media of grandstanding, using bus tragedies to promote legislation of questionable value. Some of that criticism could resurface with Hutchison making noises about running for governor of Texas and Brown identifying with a tragic bus crash involving a sports team from Ohio.

Hutchinson and Brown announced they were introducing their slightly revised bill on the two-year anniversary of the coach crash in Atlanta that killed five college baseball players, plus their driver and his wife.

"In the two years since the Bluffton University bus crash, it has become clear that we need motorcoach safety reform and we need it now," said Brown. "This bipartisan legislation will help prevent bus trips from becoming tragedies."

Added Hutchison: "In the past several years, there has been a rash of deadly motorcoach crashes, including the Bluffton tragedy, and three catastrophic bus accidents that resulted in the injury and death of scores of Texans.

"Sen. Sherrod Brown and I have introduced a bill to help prevent future motorcoach crashes and to reduce fatalities when accidents do occur. Every year that Congress delays passage of this badly needed legislation, the lives of American passengers are placed at risk in accidents that should be prevented," Hutchison added.

While the coach industry appears to view the Hutchison-Brown bill cautiously, the United Motorcoach Association has committed to working with the senators to fashion effective bus safety legislation.

"We look forward to working with Senator Hutchisons and Senator Brown's staffs on this important issue," said Ken Presley, vice president of industry relations at UMA. "They are well versed in these issues and we all want the same thing -- safe motorcoach operations for our passengers.

"Texas citizens can be proud of Senator Hutchison. She is a champion of these issues and, while we don't completely agree on all things, we do agree that the protection of motorcoach passengers is paramount.

"Consensus with these two champions of bus and motorcoach safety is inevitable," said Presley.

The Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2009, which Brown and Hutchison introduced, would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to upgrade federal safety standards for motorcoaches, increase driver operating standards and training requirements, and adopt "safety-enhancing technologies."

Specifically, the legislation would require:

Safety belts and stronger seating systems "to ensure occupants stay in their seats in a crash."

Anti-ejection glazing on windows to prevent passengers from being easily thrown outside the motorcoach.

Strong, crush-resistant roofs that can withstand rollovers.

Improved protection against fires by reducing flammability of the motorcoach interior, and better training for operators in the case of fire.

Improved commercial driver training.

Electronic on-board recorders, with "real-time capabilities to track precise vehicle location, and recorded data not accessible to manipulation by a driver or motor carrier."

A version of the Brown-Hutchison legislation was introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.

A competing bus safety bill also has been introduced in the House by Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa. (See March 15 Bus & Motorcoach News.)

Some observers expect the multi-year highway construction and public transportation funding legislation Congress will take up in the fall to address bus and motorcoach safety.