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Minutes for HB2532 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Authorizing the department of education to contract with a private vendor to install and operate school bus cameras.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 10, 2020
Natalie Scott provided an overview of HB2532. Ms. Scott stood for questions. (Attachment 1)
Representative Jim Karleskint testified in support of the bill. Representative Karleskint stated that violations where people are illegally passing a school bus continue to rise, as many as one thousand a day. This bill will provide a much stronger enforcement of the law and also provides a safer ride for students to and from school. He stood for questions. Craig Neuenswander joined Representative Karleskint at the stand to assist in answering questions regarding charges and the money flow associated with the companies who would provide camera service.(Attachment 2)
Ed Klump testified in support of the bill. Mr Klump stated the camera enforcement program in this bill offers an efficient system to enforcement the existing stop arm law to protect Kansas children. During his testimony, Mr. Klump also spoke to answer questions of the previous conferee. He then stood for questions. (Attachment 3)
Chairperson Patton stated the next 5 conferees were all educators and the membership should hold their questions until after the last conferee testifies.
Jim Porter testified in support of the bill. Mr Porter reported the State Board is very concerned about the safety of students in the process of loading and unloading school buses. A survey taken on an annual basis shows this as an ever increasing problem. The bill will put in place a system that operates similar to what the Kansas Turnpike Authority has successfully used for vehicles that travel through toll gates without paying the turnpike fee. (Attachment 4)
Steve Noble testified in support of the bill. Mr. Noble stated that the Seaman School District believes this bill would increase student safety by allowing school districts to enforce stop arm violations using cameras and a civil penalty process. He added to his testimony giving an example of how cameras installed in the past couple of years have improved student safety on the buses and brought about positive change which has increased parents confidence that the district is doing what they can to keep students protected. He also stated that our bus drivers need this assistance to help keep students safe. (Attachment 5)
Fabian Armendariz testified in support of the bill. Mr Armendariz stated his district, the largest in the state, has seen this growing concern as well. He has been involved in school district transportation for over 7 years. It has been a topic his district has tried to address using local new channels, via social media, and working with the Wichita Police Department. The results have only provided a band-aid. He is hopeful that through the enactment of the Bill, we will see a consistent reduction in the number of violations that can be sustained in the future to keep all Kansas students safe. (Attachment 6)
Allen Konicek testified in support of the bill. Mr Konicek echoed the concerns stated by previous conferees. He stated that something needs to be done to slow down and reduce the number of violations occurring. Drivers need to concentrate on the safety of the children on the bus, not identifying the violators of the Stop Arm violations. (Attachment 7)
Denise Jennings testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Jennings told two different stories about experiences that her bus drivers have had. Both were blatant violations of the Stop Arm Law. She asked the committee to support this critical bill for the safety of children in Kansas. (Attachment 8)
There was no written testimony. Chairperson Patton closed the hearing.
Chairperson Patton told committee members they will try and work all of the following bills on Wednesday : HB2447, HB2448, HB2449, HB2450, HB2500, HB2521, HB2533, HB2544.
Chairperson Patton adjourned the meeting at 4:57 pm.
