SB334 Summary

• Authorizes county and municipal school boards to approve civil enforcement programs using automated detection devices to cite vehicles illegally overtaking stopped school buses, with violations enforced through mailed civil notices rather than criminal citations.

• Establishes civil fines of $300 for first offense, $750 for second offense, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense within a 5-year period, with fine revenue distributed as 40% to governing body, 40% to school system, 10% to State Department of Education, and 10% to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

• Presumes vehicle owners are responsible for violations but allows owners to transfer responsibility to the actual driver or contest violations in district or municipal court within 30 days of notice; provides for appeals to circuit court.

• Requires destruction of images that do not identify violations within 90 days and images identifying violations within 30 days of final disposition; prohibits arrest or incarceration for nonpayment of civil fines and prevents insurance companies from using violations to adjust rates.

• Allows vehicle owners held responsible to sue the actual driver for reimbursement of fines plus attorney fees if the owner timely attempted to transfer responsibility but was ultimately held liable due to ownership.