House raises penalty, allows bus camera evidence in vote to strengthen school bus safety
February 05, 2025 | 2025 Legislative SD, South Dakota
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The South Dakota House passed House Bill 10-94, which increases penalties for motorists who fail to stop for school buses and allows the use of external bus video systems as discoverable evidence in civil or criminal actions.
Representative Reimer, the bill’s sponsor, told the chamber the measure responds to widespread reports that motorists are running school bus amber lights and stop arms. She said the bill makes the offense a class 1 misdemeanor and permits video recorded by external bus-mounted systems to be entered as evidence.
Supporters said cameras would help enforcement and give law enforcement probable cause to pursue investigations; Representative Van Diepen, speaking from experience, said upgrading to a class 1 misdemeanor “forces them into court” because officers can arrest or cite when probable cause exists. Opponents and some questioners raised concerns about privacy, camera availability and whether the change merely shifts enforcement burdens; Representative May voted no citing lack of statewide data on incidents.
On the final roll call the clerk reported ayes 48, nays 19, excused 1; the bill received the majority and was declared passed. The bill does not mandate camera installation; sponsors said purchases and installation would be at local expense.
Votes at a glance: HB 10-94 — passed, ayes 48, nays 19, excused 1.
The House advanced other measures after the vote.
Representative Reimer, the bill’s sponsor, told the chamber the measure responds to widespread reports that motorists are running school bus amber lights and stop arms. She said the bill makes the offense a class 1 misdemeanor and permits video recorded by external bus-mounted systems to be entered as evidence.
Supporters said cameras would help enforcement and give law enforcement probable cause to pursue investigations; Representative Van Diepen, speaking from experience, said upgrading to a class 1 misdemeanor “forces them into court” because officers can arrest or cite when probable cause exists. Opponents and some questioners raised concerns about privacy, camera availability and whether the change merely shifts enforcement burdens; Representative May voted no citing lack of statewide data on incidents.
On the final roll call the clerk reported ayes 48, nays 19, excused 1; the bill received the majority and was declared passed. The bill does not mandate camera installation; sponsors said purchases and installation would be at local expense.
Votes at a glance: HB 10-94 — passed, ayes 48, nays 19, excused 1.
The House advanced other measures after the vote.
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