TITLE: Relating to the enforcement of the prohibition on passing a school bus using images and video from a school bus infraction detection system.

SUMMARY: Relating to the enforcement of the prohibition on passing a school bus using images and video from a school bus infraction detection system.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the enforcement of the prohibition on passing a school bus using images and video from a school bus infraction detection system. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 707.001, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (4-a) to read as follows: (4-a) "School bus infraction detection system" means a camera system affixed to a school bus with two or more camera sensors or computers that produce a recorded video and two or more film or digital photographic still images for the purpose of detecting violations described by Section 545.066. SECTION 2. Section 707.020, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by Subsection (a-1),a local authority may not implement or operate a photographic traffic signal enforcement system with respect to a highway or street under the jurisdiction of the authority. (a-1) This section does not apply to a school bus infraction detection system installed and operated by a school district or open-enrollment charter school in this state. SECTION 3. Section 707.021, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 707.021. USE OF EVIDENCE FROM PHOTOGRAPHIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM PROHIBITED. (a) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by Subsection (b),a local authority may not issue a civil or criminal charge or citation for an offense or violation based on a recorded image produced by a photographic traffic signal enforcement system. (b) This section does not apply to the issuance by a municipality, county, school district, or open-enrollment charter school of a civil or criminal charge or citation, as applicable, for a violation described by Section 545.066 based on the use of recorded image-based evidence collected from a school bus infraction detection system installed and operated by a school district or open-enrollment charter school in this state. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.