The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Ohio enacts School Bus Safety Act, establishing camera fines and $10 million in grants
Last action · June 10, 2026: Reported - Substitute (Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety)Sponsors: Bernard Willis and 59 others
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What This Bill Would Do
The General Assembly enacted the School Bus Safety Act, establishing a $300 civil penalty for motorists caught on camera passing stopped school buses, creating a state grant program funded by a $10,000,000 to install bus safety features, and increasing motor vehicle registration service fees.
Motorists face civil fines and vehicle registration blocks for passing stopped school buses captured by automated cameras, while school districts can apply for state grants to install safety equipment such as external cameras, stop arms, and seat belts.
- State legislatures frequently utilize dedicated funds and civil camera enforcement mechanisms to address traffic infractions involving school bus safety. context
- The 136th General Assembly of Ohio considers various transportation and motor vehicle statutes governing vehicle registrations and deputy registrar appointments. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
School districts
Eligible school districts may apply for state grants from the school bus safety fund to purchase and install school bus safety features.
Motor vehicle owners
Vehicle owners face increased registration fees, potential driver's license point assessments, and $300 civil penalties if their vehicle is recorded illegally passing a stopped school bus.
Deputy registrars
Deputy registrars must comply with updated contract terms, campaign contribution restrictions, fee collection schedules, and display requirements for school bus safety graphics.
Department of Education and Workforce
The department administers the school bus safety fund and grant program, establishing application procedures and award amounts.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty if my car is caught by a camera passing a stopped school bus?
How are the civil penalties collected from school bus camera violations distributed?
What registration fee changes take effect in 2026?
What funding is provided for school bus safety grants?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
10 actions- Jun 10, 2026SenateCommitteeReported - Substitute (Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety)
- Jun 10, 2026SenateFloorPassed
- Nov 19, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety
- Jun 12, 2025SenateIntroducedIntroduced
- Jun 11, 2025HouseFloorPassed
- May 27, 2025HouseCommitteeReported - Substitute (Finance)
Show 4 earlier actions
- May 7, 2025HouseCommitteeReported - Re-referred to Finance (Rules and Reference)
- Apr 30, 2025HouseCommitteeReported - Substitute - Re-referred to Rules and Reference (Transportation)
- Jan 28, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Transportation
- Jan 23, 2025HouseIntroducedIntroduced
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
Favorable Passage
Total
33
- Yes
- 33
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (11)
Show 5 earlier roll calls
Favorable Passage
Total
33
- Yes
- 33
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
Passed
Total
91
- Yes
- 91
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (92)
68 more members
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Favorable Passage
Total
28
- Yes
- 27
- No
- 1
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (28)
Re-referred
Total
11
- Yes
- 11
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (11)
Re-referred
Total
12
- Yes
- 12
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (12)
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 55 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Shift to Automated Civil Enforcement for School Bus Passing
The act transitions enforcement of illegal school bus passing from strictly driver-targeted criminal citations to include automated camera-based civil penalties assessed against vehicle owners.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legislature.ohio.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz45Current news / social attention level
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