SB 136 amends school bus lighting rules to allow painted school buses (per §347.44(1)) to use specific safety features. It permits one amber or white back-up lamp on each side (mounted near wheels, with downward light direction), front and rear illuminated signs (steady, non-glaring light), and LED strobe lights meeting SAE J845 Class II standards. These changes directly affect school bus manufacturers, school districts, and the Department of Transportation (which will set installation rules). The bill updates existing safety equipment requirements without creating new mandates, focusing solely on technical specifications for lighting and signage.
AB 393 modifies restrictions on school bus drivers over 70 years old and those with certain medical conditions, allowing them to operate school buses under new medical review requirements. The bill requires school districts to implement a standardized medical evaluation process for qualifying drivers. This directly affects school bus drivers in these categories and their employers. The legislation is currently in the Assembly Transportation Committee after recent amendments.
SB 391 clarifies that the requirement for school buses to be equipped with audiovisual recording devices applies to public school boards *and* the governing bodies of private or tribal schools. The bill amends existing law by replacing "board" with "board, or the governing body of a private school or tribal school" to explicitly include these entities. This change ensures all schools operating buses - public, private, or tribal - must comply with the recording device requirement. The bill does not create new requirements but specifies which school entities are subject to the existing mandate.
AB 332 requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks at intersections with traffic signals or when pedestrians have begun crossing on a green signal. It applies to all vehicles, including those turning, and affects pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of e-scooters or mobility devices. The bill clarifies that drivers must yield and remain stopped until the pedestrian or device has safely crossed, whether at signaled intersections or unmarked crosswalks. It also specifies that pedestrians may not suddenly enter a vehicle's path, and drivers must yield to all crossing users during turns on red signals.
AB 526 modifies state contracting rules for airport improvements to align with federal requirements when federal funds are involved. It allows the state transportation secretary to use "construction manager at risk" contracts for qualified airport projects (like building or upgrading structures), where the contractor guarantees a maximum price and selection isn't based solely on lowest bid. This applies when projects are partially or fully funded by federal money, overriding standard state procurement rules for those specific cases. The bill directly affects state agencies, municipalities operating airports, and contractors bidding on federal-funded airport construction or improvement projects.
SB 508 allows school buses to install cameras to record drivers illegally passing them. Bus operators or third-party vendors can submit photo/video evidence of violations to traffic officers, who can then issue fines. The bill establishes fines of $30-$500 for drivers who pass school buses illegally, with no license suspension or demerit points added to driving records. It directly affects drivers who violate school bus stop laws, creating a new process for evidence-based enforcement.
AB 653 creates a state-funded program to improve safety at high-risk intersections. It directs the Department of Transportation to provide local governments (cities and counties) with funding for safety upgrades at signalized and stop-sign intersections with excessive crash rates. The program prioritizes intersections in the 10% of counties with the worst crash records from 2019-2024 data, using $6 million in new annual funding. This directly affects local governments managing highways by enabling them to apply for grants or reimbursements for intersection safety improvements.
AB 523 bans the sale, installation, or distribution of counterfeit airbags (fake parts with misleading marks) and nonfunctional airbags (previously deployed, damaged, or falsely labeled as working). It directly affects auto parts sellers, installers, and repair shops by prohibiting these practices, with limited exceptions for police vehicles, dealers without knowledge of issues, and insurance-related vehicle transfers. Violations carry fines up to $5,000 or up to one year in jail per offense, escalating to felony charges for repeat offenses or if harm or death results. The bill creates specific definitions for these airbag types and establishes penalties under existing statute 347.50.
SB 455 permanently revokes driving privileges for individuals with four or more convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (DUI), with a 15-year gap between convictions allowing reinstatement. It prohibits applicants from obtaining an occupational license (for essential work driving) during the first 180 days after the permanent revocation takes effect. After 10 years of the revocation period, individuals may apply for full license reinstatement under separate procedures. The bill specifically targets repeat DUI offenders by tightening license eligibility rules without altering ignition interlock device requirements for those who previously held licenses.
Assembly Bill 72 (AB 72) proposes that the state join the Driver License Compact, an agreement among states to share information about driving offenses. This directly affects drivers who operate vehicles in different states and the state's motor vehicle licensing authority. Under this compact, states would report convictions for motor vehicle violations to a driver's home state. The home state would then apply its own laws regarding license suspension, revocation, or limitation, giving the same effect to certain serious out-of-state offenses (like DUI or vehicular manslaughter) as if they occurred within its borders. Additionally, it would prevent individuals with suspended or revoked licenses from another compact state from obtaining a new license until the original suspension or revocation period has ended.
