Bill
HB 4930
Allows Michigan school districts to install stop-arm camera systems on buses, contract with vendors and police to enforce violations with captured evidence.
Status and timeline
- Enacted as Public Act No. 163 of 2024; approved by Governor Dec. 10, 2024; assigned PA 163'24. Effective date: contingent on enactment of companion bills (HB 4928 and HB 4929) and then the statutorily prescribed effective timing (see “enacting section” in the act).
- Amends the Pupil Transportation Act, sections 5 and 20 (MCL 257.1805 & 257.1820). The bill was tie‑barred with HB 4928 and HB 4929, which address camera‑based violations and fine distribution.
Purpose and intent
- To authorize and clarify how school districts may equip school buses with stop‑arm camera systems and to establish contractual and operational relationships among school districts, law enforcement agencies, and private vendors for use of camera evidence in enforcing illegal passing/failing‑to‑stop violations.
Key provisions
- Definitions (Sec. 5): establishes “stop‑arm camera system” as a system of two or more cameras affixed to a school bus that:
- automatically records video or sequenced photographs of vehicles that fail to stop for or pass a stopped school bus in violation of Section 682 of the Michigan Vehicle Code;
- captures images of the vehicle and the vehicle’s rear registration plate; and
- records the date, time, and location on the recorded image. The enacted text also specifies the system must be capable of capturing a distance of not less than 200 feet in front of the bus.
- School district authority (Sec. 20):
- A school district may install and operate stop‑arm camera systems on school buses.
- A school district may enter agreements with one or more law enforcement agencies establishing enforcement responsibilities and reimbursement of costs related to camera‑based violations.
- A school district may contract with private vendors to install, operate, and support camera systems and to perform the district’s obligations under agreements with law enforcement.
- Vendor requirements:
- If required by contract, a private vendor operating a system must provide law enforcement, when a system captures an alleged violation, with a copy of the photograph/video, the vehicle’s registration plate number and issuing state, and the date/time/place of the alleged violation.
Who is affected
- School districts: may adopt camera systems and enter contracts with vendors and law enforcement; responsible for contracting and any reimbursement terms.
- Private vendors: may be contracted to install/operate systems and, where contracted, must provide evidence to law enforcement.
- Law enforcement agencies: may receive camera evidence and have enforcement responsibilities as agreed with districts (HB 4928/HB 4929 address citation procedures/fine distribution).
- Motorists/vehicle owners: may be subject to camera‑documented enforcement under related vehicle code provisions (see HB 4928 for camera‑based violation procedures and fines).
Potential impacts and fiscal note
- Fiscal impact to State: none. Local fiscal impact: indeterminate. Installation costs (testimony referenced ~ $10,000 per bus) could be significant for districts; however, related bills (HB 4928/4929) create a mechanism for fines to be paid to county treasurers and distributed to the school district operating the bus, potentially offsetting costs.
- Operational effects: creates a clear pathway for use of camera evidence in enforcement, formalizes vendor roles, and may increase detected violations and local revenues (and shift some fine revenue from other local uses).
Related legislation
- HB 4928 & HB 4929 (tie‑barred): define camera‑based violations of MCL 257.682, establish civil fine amounts and procedures (including evidence use, citation mailing, and fine distribution to school districts). Readers should consult those bills/acts for enforcement, citation, and fine allocation details.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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