The bill, S.B. No. 744, aims to enhance the enforcement of laws prohibiting the illegal passing of school buses by utilizing 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 recorded video and photographic images to detect violations related to passing a stopped school bus. Additionally, the bill clarifies that local authorities are not permitted to implement photographic traffic signal enforcement systems, with the exception of those specifically related to school bus infraction detection systems operated by school districts or open-enrollment charter schools.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to allow municipalities, counties, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools to issue civil or criminal charges based on evidence collected from these school bus infraction detection systems. This provision ensures that recorded images from these systems can be used as valid evidence for violations of the law concerning the illegal passing of school buses. The bill 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)