This bill aims to enhance school bus safety by addressing the illegal passing of school buses through the implementation of stop signal arm video recording devices. The Department of Education is authorized to contract with a private vendor for the installation, operation, and maintenance of these devices, which will capture violations of K.S.A. 8-1556. School district boards of education must adopt a resolution to work with the vendor, and the agreement will outline compensation and data reporting requirements. Civil penalties for violations will be set at $250, and collected penalties will be directed to a newly created School Bus Safety and Education Fund, which will be used for related expenses and public education on the dangers of violating school bus safety laws.

The bill establishes a process for verifying violations captured by the video devices, which will be reviewed by designated officials from the Kansas Highway Patrol. If a violation is confirmed, a notice will be sent to the vehicle's registered owner, who can contest the violation within a specified timeframe. The bill also includes provisions for the retention and disposal of recorded images, ensuring that images showing no violations are destroyed after 28 business days, while those capturing violations are kept until the case is closed. Additionally, the Department of Education is required to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing the number of violations and penalties collected, promoting transparency and accountability in the enforcement of school bus safety laws.