School buses; exemptions from requirements of law and regulations; approval by state board of education

(a) Every school bus, as defined in K.S.A. 8-1461, and amendments thereto, shall be governed by the requirements of law and rules and regulations of the state board of education applicable to design, lighting equipment, distinctive markings, special warning devices, and any other equipment which are in effect on the date any such school bus is purchased or otherwise acquired, and shall be exempt from the requirements of law and rules and regulations which become effective at any time during a period of 25 years from the date of manufacture of such school bus. The state board of education is hereby required to approve any such school bus as to design, and as to lighting equipment, special warning devices, distinctive markings, and any other equipment required by law and rules and regulations, for operation as a school bus during such exemption period upon submission of a request for such approval. (b) The state board of education is authorized to establish the procedure to be followed when request for approval of any such school bus is submitted under this section. The approval shall be in writing and a copy of the written approval shall be carried in the school bus at all times, but failure to carry such copy of the written approval shall not affect the status of the school bus as an approved school bus. The state board of education shall maintain a list of all such school buses which have been approved by the board.