HB446 - Alabama School Bus Safety Act

• County and municipal boards of education may use automated detection devices to enforce violations of school bus overtaking laws, with civil notices issued by mail to vehicle owners.

• Vehicle owners are presumptively responsible for civil fines up to $300 but may transfer responsibility to the actual driver or contest the violation with at least 20 days to respond.

• District and municipal courts have jurisdiction to adjudicate civil violations using preponderance of evidence standard, with appeals to circuit court available if the fine is paid in full first.

• Unpaid civil fines result in suspension of vehicle registration, title transfer denial, and driver's license suspension until paid, but no criminal record, driving points, or insurance rate increases apply if paid timely.

• Vehicle owners who pay fines due to ownership but were not driving may sue the actual driver for reimbursement plus attorney fees after providing 60 days written notice for payment.