relative to increasing the penalty for passing a stopped school bus.
HB 1308 increases penalties for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus in New Hampshire. It makes sworn testimony from bus drivers or witnesses sufficient evidence for violations, allows bus camera footage to be used as proof (but only for legal proceedings), and adds specific penalties: a $300 fine plus a 7-day license suspension for a first offense, escalating to a $750 fine plus 15 days in jail and indefinite license revocation for a third offense. This bill directly affects drivers who fail to stop for school buses, particularly those with prior violations. The changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Dec 1, 2025
Signed Jun 24, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
Version adopted by both bodies
→
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
·
5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized and formatted for publication as Chapter 163, removing internal legislative tracking headers and fiscal notes. Substantively, the law increases penalties for passing a stopped school bus, raising fines and adding mandatory jail time for repeat offenders, while also clarifying how bus camera footage can be used as evidence.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on increasing penalties for passing a stopped school bus, but the final version includes specific formatting for the State of New Hampshire and removes the separate fiscal impact analysis section found in the adopted version.
TECHNICAL
Removed the 'FISCAL NOTE' section and 'AGENCIES CONTACTED' list that were present in the adopted version but are not included in the final chapter text.
Added the official state header 'STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE' and the year 'In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six' to the final chapter text.
Adjusted line breaks and spacing in the sponsors list and bill title to match the final chapter format.
Changed the statute reference in the text from '1 Overtaking and Passing School Bus' to '163:1 Overtaking and Passing School Bus' to reflect the final chapter number.
ADDED
Added the approval date 'June 19, 2026' and the effective date 'January 01, 2027' to the final chapter text.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Amendments
2
Jun 24, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 163; eff.01/01/2027
lower
May 7, 2026
Introduced
House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1513s (Rep. Rhodes): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 4
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2026-1513s, AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
upper
Apr 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1513s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1513s, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Introduced
Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 6
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0523h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 6
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2026-0523: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 6
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0523h 02/13/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 9
lower
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 14
lower
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 1308
Scope: NH
Hi! I can help you understand HB 1308. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline