Summary of Original Version

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; allow the use of camera monitoring systems on school buses operated by a school district, and allow the enforcement of a civil penalty for stop arm camera violations recorded by a camera monitoring system; set the amount of the civil penalty; provide that the revenue generated from a civil penalty shall be retained by the school district; allow a law enforcement agency to charge a fee of $25 from every civil penalty enforced by the law enforcement agency; require specific notice for a stop arm camera violation; establish defenses to a violation; establish procedures for a contest to a violation; allow for suspension of motor vehicle registration for failure to timely pay a penalty; require a school district or law enforcement agency to notify the Transportation Cabinet of the need to release a motor vehicle registration suspension within one business day of payment; amend KRS 189.990 to increase the maximum fines for failing to stop for a school or church bus that is receiving or discharging passengers; amend KRS 189.370 to require traffic in the opposite direction of a school or church bus to stop for the bus on a highway that is not divided by an elevated barrier or unpaved median.

Summary of Amendment: Senate Committee Substitute 1

Summary Retain original provisions, except remove the definition of "owner" and delete provisions that allowed a law enforcement agency to charge a fee of $25 from every penalty enforced by the law enforcement agency from a stop arm camera violation; amend KRS 189.990 to increase the maximum fines for failing to stop for a school or church bus that is receiving or discharging passengers and direct the first $300 of each penalty to the school district where the offense occurred for the specific purpose of purchasing, installing, and maintaining camera monitoring systems on school buses; amend KRS 186.763 to prohibit school districts from operating fully autonomous vehicles for transporting students; EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2026.

Summary of Amendment: House Committee Substitute 1

Summary Delete all provisions; create new sections of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; allow the use of camera monitoring systems on school buses operated by a school district and allow the enforcement of a civil penalty for stop arm camera violations recorded by a camera monitoring system; establish the amount of the civil penalty; require that the revenue generated from a civil penalty be retained by the school district; allow a law enforcement agency to charge a fee of $25 from every civil penalty enforced by the law enforcement agency; require specific notice for a stop arm camera violation; establish defenses to a violation; establish procedures for a contest to a violation; allow for suspension of motor vehicle registration for failure to timely pay a penalty; require a school district or law enforcement agency to notify the Transportation Cabinet of the need to release a motor vehicle registration suspension within one business day of payment; amend KRS 189.990 to increase the maximum fines for failing to stop for a school or church bus that is receiving or discharging passengers; amend KRS 189.370 to require traffic in the opposite direction of a school or church bus to stop for the bus on a highway that is not divided by an elevated barrier or unpaved median.

Summary of Amendment: House Floor Amendment 1 -- D. Hale

Summary Retain original provisions; amend KRS 186.763 to prohibit a school district from operating a fully autonomous vehicle as a school bus or using any fully autonomous vehicle to transport students.

Summary of Amendment: House Floor Amendment 2 -- D. Elliott

Summary Retain original provisions; require that the Transportation Cabinet send a notice via certified mail with restricted delivery of a suspension of motor vehicle registration for non-payment of a civil penalty for a stop arm camera violation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 189.990, 189.370
Senate Committee Substitute 1: 189.990, 189.370, 186.763
House Committee Substitute 1: 189.990, 189.370
Current: 189.990, 189.370, 186.763