Transportation (Public Transit)

HB 5587 requires school buses to have cameras that automatically send footage of drivers illegally passing stopped buses directly to law enforcement for ticketing. It applies to drivers who violate school bus stop laws (e.g., passing when flashing lights are active), which currently carry fines and license suspensions. The bill adds a new enforcement mechanism: camera footage is transmitted directly to police without manual reporting, streamlining the process for issuing citations. This directly affects drivers who fail to stop for school buses, with penalties ranging from $500 fines for first offenses to jail time for repeat or severe violations causing injury or death.

HB 5137 would exempt county school buses from paying toll fees when used for regular school activities. Specifically, it covers buses transporting students to and from school, school-related events (like field trips and sports), and maintenance driving. The bill applies only to buses operated by county school systems within their regular school operations. This change would directly affect school districts and bus drivers by eliminating toll costs for these essential transportation services.

West Virginia's SB 558 strengthens penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus with activated stop arms and red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It creates new aggravated offenses: causing serious injury becomes a felony with 1-3 years in jail and $2,000-$5,000 fines, while causing death becomes a felony with 1-10 years in jail and $5,000-$10,000 fines. Repeat violations now trigger mandatory jail time (48 hours for third offenses), longer license suspensions (up to one year), and require completion of a driver safety course. The bill also allows civil stop-arm camera enforcement, holds vehicle owners liable for violations, and dedicates collected fines to school bus safety initiatives.