Authorizing the department of education to contract with a private vendor to install, operate and maintain school bus cameras.

HB 2137 allows Kansas school districts to partner with private vendors to install and maintain video cameras on school buses that capture vehicles illegally passing stopped buses (violating K.S.A. 8-1556). School districts must approve the vendor via a board resolution, and the Department of Education will collect civil penalties from violators, which fund a new School Bus Safety and Education Fund. This fund covers camera system costs, verification of violations, and public education about the dangers of illegally passing school buses. The Kansas Highway Patrol verifies captured violations using recorded images, and penalties are sent directly to the vehicle owner via mail. The bill directly affects school districts, drivers who illegally pass school buses, and the state's school bus safety funding.