Mato Grosso Court Orders 120‑Day School Bus Safety Plan, Ends Automatic Manager Liability

The Tribunal de Contas de Mato Grosso (TCE-MT) ordered the municipality of Chapada dos Guimarães to submit, within 120 days, an action plan to correct numerous safety irregularities in its school‑bus fleet. The audit found missing Detran‑MT inspections, worn tires, damaged windshields, faulty lighting, non‑functioning chronotachographs, absent fire extinguishers and drivers lacking the required certification. The required plan must set goals, deadlines, responsible parties and indicators, and include preventive maintenance, mandatory inspections, driver certification, gradual fleet renewal and safety‑education measures.

In a separate decision, TCE-MT unanimously approved a new summary that eliminates automatic or presumed liability for public managers such as mayors, council presidents and secretaries. The rule, authored by President Sérgio Ricardo, mandates a demonstrated causal link between a manager’s conduct and any identified irregularity, aligning with state law 752/2022.