Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas House Bill HB4628

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to school bus safety, including the authority of a school district to implement a monitoring system that captures images of vehicles passing illegally; creating an offense and providing for the imposition of civil and criminal penalties.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4628 will modify state laws pertinent to traffic regulations, especially those related to school bus operations and the legal repercussions for violations. By empowering school districts to utilize monitoring systems, the bill is expected to lead to increased enforcement of school bus safety rules. It also stipulates how evidence from the monitoring systems can be used in legal proceedings, potentially leading to a higher rate of accountability for drivers who disregard traffic laws surrounding school buses.

Summary

House Bill 4628 focuses on enhancing school bus safety by allowing school districts to implement monitoring systems capable of capturing images of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses. The bill formally establishes an offense for failing to stop for a school bus and creates a framework for the imposition of civil and criminal penalties on violators. This initiative aims to protect the safety of children while boarding and disembarking from school buses, thereby addressing growing concerns around student safety.

Contention

While proponents of the bill highlight its potential to significantly reduce traffic violations and protect school children, there may be opposition concerning privacy and the implications of increased surveillance. Critics might argue that the imposition of civil penalties and the operations of monitoring systems could lead to disputes over privacy rights and due process, especially around the question of how images are used and stored. Additionally, the bill sets certain procedural guidelines for appealing penalties, which could be seen as cumbersome or could generate pushback from those adversely affected by the penalties.

Companion Bills

TX SB2060

Identical Relating to the authority of a school district to implement a school bus monitoring system that records images, including images of vehicles that pass a stopped school bus; providing for the imposition of penalties.

Previously Filed As

TX HB648

Relating to the enforcement of the prohibition on passing a school bus using images from a school bus monitoring system.

TX HB2226

Relating to state and municipal motor fuel taxes; providing civil penalties; creating criminal offenses; requiring occupational licenses; authorizing the imposition of taxes; providing for increases and decreases in the rates of taxes.

TX SB895

Relating to the regulation of money services businesses; creating a criminal offense; creating administrative penalties; authorizing the imposition of a fee.

TX HB7

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Border Force, and to compensate persons affected by those threats; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.

TX HB61

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Border Force, and to compensate persons affected by those threats; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.

TX HB3

Relating to measures for ensuring public school safety, including the development and implementation of purchases relating to and funding for public school safety and security requirements and the provision of safety-related resources.

TX HB3652

Relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, testing, possession, and use of cannabis and cannabis products; authorizing the imposition of taxes and fees; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB22

Relating to abortion, including civil liability for distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and duties of Internet service providers; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a private civil right of action.

TX HB36

Relating to abortion, including civil liability for distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and duties of Internet service providers; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a private civil right of action.

TX HB2690

Relating to abortion, including civil liability for distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and duties of Internet service providers; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a private civil right of action.

Similar Bills

TX SB2060

Relating to the authority of a school district to implement a school bus monitoring system that records images, including images of vehicles that pass a stopped school bus; providing for the imposition of penalties.

TX HB3785

Relating to the powers and duties of a navigation district or port authority.

TX HB474

Relating to the authority of a school district to implement a school bus monitoring system that records images, including images of vehicles that pass a stopped school bus; providing for the imposition of penalties.

TX SB1485

Relating to the authority of a school district to implement a school bus monitoring system that records images, including images of vehicles that pass a stopped school bus; providing for the imposition of penalties.

TX SB1500

Relating to powers and duties of navigation districts and the boards of trustees of municipal port facilities.

TX HB2606

Relating to powers and duties of navigation districts and the boards of trustees of municipal port facilities.

TX SB1420

Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation; providing penalties.