SB303 Alabama 2020 Session

Under existing law, when a driver of a vehicle approaches a stopped school bus that is flashing its lights for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children, the driver is required to completely stop his or her vehicle until the school bus resumes motion or ceases to flash its lights. Existing law provides penalties for a violation, including a fine, suspension of driving privileges or driver's license, and community service

This bill would specify that the penalties for a violation are criminal and would establish the penalty based on the number of prior convictions

This bill would increase the time period for which a person's driving privileges or driver's license is suspended or revoked for a conviction

This bill would provide criminal penalties for a violation where, as a proximate cause of the violation, another person is injured

This bill would provide criminal penalties for a violation where, another person dies as a proximate cause of the violation

This bill would specify that a person whose driving privileges or driver's license is suspended as a result of a violation may not drive under any conditions during the suspension or revocation period, including with a limited driving permit or ignition interlock device

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

Relating to unlawfully overtaking a school or church bus; to amend Section 32-5A-154, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide criminal penalties for a violation; to further provide for the suspension or revocation of driving privileges or driver's license for a violation; to provide criminal penalties for a violation when the violation causes bodily injury or death; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.