NC H1038

Appropriates $821,089 in recurring and $660,000 in nonrecurring funds to the State Highway Patrol for 2022-2023 to fund 12 new State Trooper positions assigned to District H5 of Troop H in Mecklenburg County.

Increases the minimum number of magistrates in Mecklenburg County from 26.50 to 28.50 and appropriates $142,150 in recurring and $6,056 in nonrecurring funds for 2022-2023 to hire two additional magistrates.

Increases minimum fines for failing to stop for a school bus from $500 to $1,000 and raises fines for violations that result in injury from $1,250 to $2,250 or death from $2,500 to $3,500; effective December 1, 2022.

Establishes vehicle registration as prima facie evidence that the registered owner operated the vehicle in violation of school bus stop laws, with exceptions for rental vehicles where proof of rental provides prima facie evidence the renter operated it.

Allocates $10 million in recurring funds to the Department of Transportation for recording and storing highway camera video, with new restrictions on disclosure and release of recordings limited to specific authorized persons and law enforcement purposes.