The bill, S.B. No. 744, aims to enhance the enforcement of laws prohibiting the illegal passing of school buses by allowing the use of recorded images and video from school bus infraction detection systems. It introduces a new definition for "school bus infraction detection system," which is described as a camera system attached to a school bus that captures video and photographic images to detect violations related to passing a stopped school bus. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to clarify that local authorities are generally prohibited from operating photographic traffic signal enforcement systems, but makes an exception for school bus infraction detection systems operated by school districts or open-enrollment charter schools.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that local authorities may not issue civil or criminal charges based on images from photographic traffic signal enforcement systems, with the exception of violations related to passing a school bus, where evidence from the school bus infraction detection system can be used to issue citations. This legislative change is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 707.001, Transportation Code 707.020, Transportation Code 707.021 (Transportation Code 707)