The bill, H.B. No. 3034, 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 definition for "school bus infraction detection system," which refers to a camera system mounted on a school bus that captures recorded video and photographic images to identify violations of Section 545.066. Additionally, the bill clarifies that local authorities are generally prohibited from implementing 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 amends existing laws to allow municipalities, counties, school districts, or open-enrollment charter schools to issue civil or criminal charges based on evidence collected from these school bus infraction detection systems. This change ensures that recorded images from these systems can be used as valid evidence for violations related to passing a school bus. 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)