A bill that would allow Kentucky school districts to install stop-arm cameras on school buses to ticket drivers who illegally pass stopped buses advanced off the House floor Monday.
House Bill 7, sponsored by Rep. David Hale, R-Wellington, is aimed at reducing school bus stop-arm violations by giving districts the option to implement a violator-funded camera safety program.
“You can ask your school bus drivers in your districts,” Hale said. “I’m sure that they could tell you the violations or things they see on a daily basis that definitely bring a lot of possible harm to those individuals who are exiting the buses or getting onto those buses.”
The bill does not mandate the use of cameras. Hale said districts would choose whether to participate.
“It sets up an entirely violator-funded stop-arm camera safety program,” he said.
If a district opts in, a contracted vendor would collect violation data and share it with local law enforcement. Officers would be required to review the footage and sign a sworn statement confirming that a violation occurred before issuing a civil penalty.
Under the bill, drivers would be fined $300 for a first offense and $500 for a second or subsequent offense. Individuals would have up to 60 days to appeal the citation in district court. Failure to pay after that period could result in the suspension of the violator’s vehicle registration through the Department of Transportation.
During floor debate, Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, asked whether school districts would be responsible for upfront installation costs. Hale said districts would not pay in advance, explaining that vendors would be reimbursed through the collection of violation fees.
Marzian later voiced support for the measure.
“I think it’s a really great safety measure for our school buses,” she said.
The House approved HB 7 by a 78-15 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
