Representative Carol Moss, sponsor of House Bill 225, described the bill as an effort to reduce problems that arise when courts order motorists to perform compensatory service observing a crossing guard after school-zone speeding convictions. Moss said current law can require such service when a driver is about 10 mph over the limit and that this practice "has created a huge amount of angst among crossing guards." She described crossing guards as often retired people or young parents and said asking them to sign monitoring forms can be burdensome.

Under the bill, Moss said, the threshold for this compensatory service on a first offense would be raised to offenses of 40 mph (or double the school-zone speed); judges could still impose other penalties. "That is the reason for that. I said it was my police chief that brought this to me and said it's become a real problem for them," Moss said.

Representative Chu questioned whether the change would convey the wrong message about the seriousness of speeding in school zones. Moss and others noted existing fines and penalties for higher speed tiers and argued the change reduces administrative burden on crossing guards and police officers who may be pulled from other duties to monitor compensatory service.

After discussion and further questions, the House voted to pass House Bill 225. The final vote on the floor was 45 yes and 26 no; the bill will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.