The bill, H.B. No. 3034, aims to enhance the enforcement of laws prohibiting the illegal passing of school buses by allowing the use of recorded images and video from a newly defined "school bus infraction detection system." This system is characterized as a camera setup affixed to school buses that captures video and photographic evidence of violations as outlined in Section 545.066 of the Transportation Code. 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.

Additionally, the bill specifies that local authorities cannot issue civil or criminal charges based on images from photographic traffic signal enforcement systems, with the exception of violations related to school bus infractions. This allows municipalities, counties, school districts, and charter schools to issue citations based on evidence collected from the school bus infraction detection systems. The provisions of this bill are 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)