school bus cameras get a pass from the camera ban

The text as introduced · 342 words

89R615 CXP-F

By: Raymond
H.B. No. 1282

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

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.