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Bill

H 304

An act relating to traffic cameras and traffic violations for illegally passing a school bus

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Leland Morgan and 1 co-sponsor

Vermont would require cameras on Types I–II school buses to detect license-plate violations and issue civil penalties to owners for illegally passing a stopped bus.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 304

Summary of H.304 (2025-2026) – Vermont

Purpose and intent

  • The bill would require traffic cameras on all Types I and II school buses.
  • It would authorize the issuance of civil traffic violations based on images captured by these cameras for illegally passing a stopped school bus.
  • Overall aim: enhance enforcement of stopping for school buses to protect children.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions and moving violations (Sec. 1)

    • Amends 23 V.S.A. § 4(44) to clarify “moving violation” and to exclude certain offenses from being treated as moving violations under this bill, including passing a school bus (which would now be directly addressed under new § 1075 and related provisions).

  • Passing a stopped school bus – civil violation system (Sec. 2)

    • Amends 23 V.S.A. § 1075 (Passing School Bus).
    • When a school bus stops for loading/unloading, other drivers must stop and remain stationary while red signals are flashing.
    • If a violation occurs, a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint can be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle identified by license plate.
    • Conditions for issuing a civil complaint via camera-based evidence:
    • The school bus operator must attest in writing (under penalty of perjury) that the plate number vehicle passed a stopped bus.
    • The attestation must include date, time, and location.
    • The attestation must be provided within five days of the date of the violation.
    • The attestation must be accompanied by one or more images clearly showing the motor vehicle license plate passing the stopped bus.
    • The complaint must be issued to the vehicle owner within 10 days of the attestation.

  • School bus identification and camera system requirements (Sec. 3)

    • Updates to § 1283 to require:
    • A live digital video school bus passing violation detection monitoring system on Types I and II school buses.
    • System must be operational whenever the bus is on (including idling).
    • System must include cameras that record license plates of offending vehicles and time/date/location of violations; must not record occupants.
    • Video/images must be preserved for up to 90 days unless the bus operator attests to a violation (in which case footage is preserved until the violation is resolved, either by dismissal or payment and then destroyed).
    • Other bus requirements preserved, including the 8-light signaling system and general compliance with federal safety standards.
    • If a bus is repurposed or used for non-school transportation, related markings/equipment provisions apply to prevent misuse of school-bus identifiers.

  • Points schedule (Sec. 4)

    • Amends 23 V.S.A. § 2502 (Points Assessment Schedule).
    • A specific entry previously listed as “Illegal passing of school bus” (1075) is shown as repealed in the points table, aligning penalties with the new civil-violation framework rather than a standard moving violation points assessment.

  • Effective date (Sec. 5)

    • The act would take effect on August 1, 2026.
    • First applied to school buses operated during the 2026–2027 school year.

Who and what is affected

  • Vehicles and drivers: All drivers of motor vehicles in Vermont are subject to the new civil violation process if they illegally pass a stopped school bus with cameras present on buses.
  • School buses: Types I and II school buses would be equipped with mandatory live digital video passing violation detection systems.
  • School districts and bus operators: Responsible for ensuring buses are equipped with the approved camera systems and for retaining or attesting to violations as required by the new process.
  • Law enforcement/CVB: Role shifts toward issuing civil violations using camera evidence tied to bus-attested violations, with time-bound procedures.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Effective date: August 1, 2026.
  • First enforcement applicable: 2026–2027 school year.
  • Evidence handling: cameras preserve license-plate images for up to 90 days unless a violation is attested to by the bus operator, in which case preservation continues until resolution of the violation.
  • Attestation requirement: Bus operator’s written attestation (under penalty of perjury) is mandatory for violation to be issued, including date/time/location and attached photos.
  • Notice and prosecution timeline: Civil violation complaint to the vehicle owner must be issued within the specified time frames (attestation within 5 days; complaint to owner within 10 days of attestation).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased enforcement for illegally passing stopped school buses, potentially improving student safety.
  • Implementation costs for bus fleets to install and maintain live video violation detection systems.
  • Privacy considerations addressed by limiting recordings to license plates and violation-related data, with automatic retention limits (90 days unless attested) and occupant privacy protections.
  • Administrative workflow changes for municipalities and traffic courts, including civil violation processing rather than traditional moving violations.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Vermont law on school-bus passing violations or outline potential fiscal implications based on anticipated system costs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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