AN ACT relating to school bus safety.
Summary
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; allow the use of camera monitoring systems on school buses operated by a school district, and allow the enforcement of a civil penalty for stop arm camera violations recorded by a camera monitoring system; set the amount of the civil penalty; provide that the revenue generated from a civil penalty shall be retained by the school district; allow a law enforcement agency to charge a fee of $25 from every civil penalty enforced by the law enforcement agency; require specific notice for a stop arm camera violation; establish defenses to a violation; establish procedures for a contest to a violation; allow for suspension of motor vehicle registration for failure to timely pay a penalty; require a school district or law enforcement agency to notify the Transportation Cabinet of the need to release a motor vehicle registration suspension within one business day of payment; amend KRS 189.990 to increase the maximum fines for failing to stop for a school or church bus that is receiving or discharging passengers; amend KRS 189.370 to require traffic in the opposite direction of a school or church bus to stop for the bus on a highway that is not divided by an elevated barrier or unpaved median.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 7, 2025
Last action Mar 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Current/Final
·
5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly restructured to clarify definitions, update penalty amounts, and modify enforcement procedures for school bus stop arm violations. Key changes include renumbering sections, adjusting fine structures for weight violations, and clarifying when recorded images must be destroyed.
Scope change
The bill's scope was refined to better align with existing Kentucky Revised Statutes, particularly regarding weight violations and penalty enforcement mechanisms.
DEFINITION
Definitions were reorganized and clarified, particularly for 'camera monitoring system' and 'recorded images' to ensure consistent interpretation.
FISCAL
Penalty amounts were adjusted, with new fine structures for weight violations ranging from $0.02 per pound to $500 depending on excess load.
ENFORCEMENT
Enforcement procedures were updated to specify how violation notices are sent and what documentation must accompany them.
TIMELINE
Image retention periods were standardized to 31 days from capture if no violation occurs, with destruction occurring upon final disposition if a violation is confirmed.
REQUIREMENT
Requirements for warning signs on buses with camera systems were clarified to ensure public notification.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2025
How they voted
42–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 43
Mar 5, 2025
D
Democratic6
100% Yea
R
Republican37
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
8
Committee
8
Amendments
1
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1) and floor amendment (2)
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
passed 83-13 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2)
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Introduced
floor amendments (1) and (2) filed to Committee Substitute
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
to Transportation (H)
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 37-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Jan 9, 2025
Committee
to Transportation (S)
upper
Jan 7, 2025
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 38
Scope: KY
Hi! I can help you understand SB 38. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline