Transportation (Pedestrian Safety)

HB 1209 requires school districts, bus operators, and drivers to place bus stops so students never need to cross traffic lanes when boarding or exiting. It specifically prohibits drivers from allowing children to cross any lane of traffic for these activities. The bill amends state law to mandate this safety measure, directly affecting school transportation operations statewide. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

HB 1222 prohibits blocking public crosswalks by banning parking vehicles that encroach on crosswalks, placing objects or structures within marked crosswalks, or delaying pedestrians. It directly affects drivers, businesses, and individuals who may park or place items in crosswalks, ensuring clear pathways for pedestrians. The bill establishes fines of up to $250 for first offenses and $500 for repeat violations, with exemptions for emergency vehicles and authorized closures by local authorities. This law takes effect 60 days after passage, aiming to improve pedestrian safety at intersections.

SB 628 enables highway authorities (state or local governments) to license curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in public rights-of-way, such as sidewalks or street spaces. It establishes two options for electricity supply: either a dedicated new service or a "host energy reimbursement arrangement" where operators pay adjacent property owners for electricity use via separate metering. The bill sets strict siting rules to ensure pedestrian accessibility, safety, and compliance with disability standards, while clarifying that operators are not considered public utilities. This directly affects highway authorities, property owners hosting chargers, and EV charging operators by creating a legal framework for public EV charging infrastructure.