SB21 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

School buses, automated civil enforcement of school bus violations, county and city boards of education may initiate and enforce, district and municipal courts, county and city law enforcement.

Summary

SB21 would allow counties and municipalities to use automated devices to enforce school bus safety violations as a civil offense, with mailed notices to vehicle owners, fines up to $250, and procedures to contest or transfer liability while protecting driving records and insurance rates.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would authorize local boards of education to approve a civil enforcement program using automated detection for overtaking a stopped school bus. It creates a system where a civil fine can be issued by mail, with ownership presumptively liable and options to transfer responsibility or contest. It assigns jurisdiction to district or municipal courts, sets fine distributions to counties, schools, and safety agencies, and establishes rules for notices, evidence handling, appeals, and privacy, while avoiding criminal penalties or impact on driving records.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners in counties or municipalities that adopt the program, who may receive a civil notice, owe a fine, and face license or title consequences if unpaid.
• Drivers or other people who operate the vehicle at the time of the violation (if responsibility is transferred or disputed), and local law enforcement/agencies that administer, process, or enforce the notices.

Key Provisions

• Authorized automated enforcement for school bus violations in counties or municipalities; boards may approve a civil enforcement program and may contract with private vendors for installation, operation, and notice processing.
• Civil fines up to $250; fines distributed 40% to the local government, 40% to the school system, 10% to the State Department of Education for safety initiatives, and 10% to the Alabama Department of Public Safety for highway safety enforcement.
• Notice of violation mailed to the vehicle owner with specific required contents, including plate image (no facial images) and a certified photo/video, and at least 20 days to respond or contest; owner may transfer responsibility or contest.
• Nonpayment consequences include nonissuance/nonrenewal of vehicle licenses, nontransfer of vehicle titles, and driver’s license ineligibility until paid; no arrest or incarceration for nonpayment.
• Appeals and hearings handled in district/municipal courts with de novo review possible in circuit court; fines are civil, not criminal, and do not enter driving histories or affect insurance premiums.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

School Bus Violations