SB215 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

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

SB215 Creates a civil-enforcement system for school-bus violations detected by automated cameras in counties and municipalities, with private contractors, notices by mail, and new fines and appeals.

What This Bill Does

Allows local boards to approve automated enforcement of school bus violations and to use private contractors for installation, operation, and processing of notices. Sets a $300 civil fine per offense and distributes fines to the local government, the school system, and state safety bodies. Establishes notice-by-mail procedures, transfer of responsibility options, court procedures in district/municipal courts, and a circuit court appeal option, along with rules on evidence, image destruction, and penalties for nonpayment.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners in jurisdictions implementing the program; they may be billed $300 per violation, can contest or transfer responsibility, and may appeal in circuit court.
• Local governments, school systems, law enforcement, and private contractors involved in installing, operating, and processing automated school bus enforcement, plus state education and safety agencies that receive portions of the fines.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes county/municipal boards of education to approve civil enforcement of school bus violations using automated devices and to contract with private providers for installation, operation, and notice processing.
• Imposes a $300 civil fine per offense, with 40% to the contracting local government, 40% to the school system, 10% to the State Department of Education, and 10% to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
• Requires notices to be mailed within 14 days after review, include specific information and images, and allow contesting or transferring responsibility to the vehicle operator.
• Gives district and municipal courts jurisdiction to adjudicate these civil notices; sets preponderance of the evidence standard and provides for appeals de novo in circuit court with conditions (must pay fine to appeal; potential refund if not responsible).
• Describes procedures for contesting notices, transferring responsibility, and potential re-noticing the new responsible person; restricts more than one transfer using the formal process.
• Requires destruction of non-identifying images within 90 days and identifying images within 30 days after final disposition, unless ordered by a court; boards retain ownership of photos and records, release only by court order.
• Prohibits arrest or incarceration for nonpayment; enables collection through civil debt channels and possible use of collection services; insurance companies may not use violations to set or change rates.
• Prescribes special rules for proof of operator and ownership, including prima facie evidence with the notice and rules about determining operator identity if contested.

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 Bus Violation