Bill Text: TX HB2656 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the authority of a school district to implement a school bus monitoring system that records images of vehicles that pass a stopped school bus; authorizing a civil penalty.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-11 - Referred to Public Education [HB2656 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HB2656-Introduced.html
86R9129 AJZ-D | ||
By: Rosenthal | H.B. No. 2656 |
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relating to the authority of a school district to implement a school | ||
bus monitoring system that records images of vehicles that pass a | ||
stopped school bus; authorizing a civil penalty. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Chapter 545, Transportation Code, is amended by | ||
adding Subchapter K to read as follows: | ||
SUBCHAPTER K. SCHOOL BUS MONITORING SYSTEM | ||
Sec. 545.501. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: | ||
(1) "Owner of a motor vehicle" means the owner of a | ||
motor vehicle as shown on the motor vehicle registration records of | ||
the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or the analogous department | ||
or agency of another state or country. | ||
(2) "School bus monitoring system" means a system | ||
authorized by Section 547.701(b)(3). | ||
Sec. 545.502. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTY. (a) The | ||
board of trustees of a school district by resolution may provide | ||
that the owner of a motor vehicle is liable to the school district | ||
for a civil penalty if the vehicle passes a school bus in violation | ||
of Section 545.066. The resolution must establish the amount of the | ||
civil penalty. | ||
(b) A school district may impose a civil penalty under this | ||
section on the owner of a motor vehicle based solely on a | ||
photographic image of the vehicle that: | ||
(1) was taken by a camera installed on the school bus | ||
for the purpose of detecting violations of Section 545.066; | ||
(2) includes the vehicle's license plate; and | ||
(3) shows the vehicle violating Section 545.066. | ||
(c) A school district is entitled to all of the proceeds of | ||
the civil penalties collected by the school district under this | ||
section. | ||
(d) Civil penalties collected under this section may be used | ||
by a school district to cover the cost of installing, operating, and | ||
maintaining the school bus monitoring system. | ||
Sec. 545.503. OPERATION OF SCHOOL BUS MONITORING SYSTEM. | ||
(a) A school district that implements a school bus monitoring | ||
system under this subchapter may contract for the installation, | ||
operation, administration, or enforcement of the system. | ||
(b) All images and data produced from a school bus | ||
monitoring system under this subchapter shall be destroyed not | ||
later than the seventh day after the date of collection unless the | ||
image or data is evidence in a civil proceeding under this | ||
subchapter. Images or data used in a civil proceeding under this | ||
subchapter shall be destroyed not later than the first anniversary | ||
of the date of collection. | ||
SECTION 2. Section 547.701(b), Transportation Code, is | ||
amended to read as follows: | ||
(b) A school bus may be equipped with: | ||
(1) rooftop warning lamps: | ||
(A) that conform to and are placed on the bus in | ||
accordance with specifications adopted under Section 34.002, | ||
Education Code; and | ||
(B) that are operated under rules adopted by the | ||
school district; [ |
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(2) movable stop arms: | ||
(A) that conform to regulations adopted under | ||
Section 34.002, Education Code; and | ||
(B) that may be operated only when the bus is | ||
stopped to load or unload students; and | ||
(3) a monitoring system that: | ||
(A) is capable of taking photographic, | ||
electronic, video, or digital images of vehicles that pass the bus | ||
for the purpose of detecting violations of Section 545.066; | ||
(B) conforms to regulations adopted under | ||
Section 34.002, Education Code; and | ||
(C) may be operated only when the bus is stopped | ||
on a highway to load or unload students. | ||
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |