HB272 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David Colston

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Rod ScottArtis McCampbellPebblin W. WarrenBerry ForteDarrio MeltonMary MooreJuandalynn GivanBarbara Bigsby Boyd

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Buses, schools allowing violation to be enforced by video recording, Sec. 32-5A-154 am'd.

Summary

HB272 would allow enforcing the no-stop violation against stopped school and church buses using video recordings and establish civil penalties and procedures for those violations.

What This Bill Does

It amends 32-5A-154 to let authorities enforce failing to stop for stopped school or church buses with recorded video images. It creates civil penalties with specific amounts for violations detected by video, requires notices to vehicle owners, and provides a rebuttable presumption that the owner was the driver. It also defines how recorded images are used, not public records, and directs penalties to the enforcing agency's general fund, while allowing school systems to offset costs through intergovernmental agreements; traditional penalties for violations remain separate and can include license suspensions and, in severe cases, felony consequences.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners or lessees whose vehicles are captured by bus-mounted video cameras disobeying the stop requirement, who would face civil penalties and potential driver’s license actions depending on the offense level
• School systems, bus operators, law enforcement, and local governments involved in implementing and funding the video enforcement program (including cost offsets and intergovernmental agreements)

Key Provisions

• Authorizes enforcement of failing to stop for a stopped school or church bus using video recording devices and recorded images.
• Civil penalties for video-based violations: $300 for a first offense, $750 for a second offense, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense within a five-year period.
• Notice and court process: enforcement agency must mail a citation with the image, a sworn officer certificate, and information on how to contest liability; liability is determined by preponderance of the evidence and not a moving violation.
• Owners are presumed to be the driver unless rebutted by sworn testimony or a rental/lease agreement showing the actual operator; rental companies may rebut with the lease agreement.
• Recorded images are not public records; failure to appear or respond triggers additional procedures and penalties outlined in the subsection.
• Additional penalties under the traditional framework for repeated violations include monetary fines, community service, and driver’s license suspensions; fourth or subsequent offenses can be a Class C felony with license revocation.
• Funds collected from civil penalties go to the general fund of the enforcing agency; school systems may enter intergovernmental agreements to offset enforcement costs.
• Defines terms such as 'recorded images', 'video recording device', and related concepts necessary for enforcement.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

School Buses