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HB 1308 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Stopped school bus passing penalty

AI-generated

relative to increasing the penalty for passing a stopped school bus.

Increases penalties for unlawfully passing a stopped school bus, authorizes bus camera footage as identification evidence, and mandates license suspension for first and repeat offenses.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

Increases penalties for unlawfully passing a stopped school bus, authorizes use of sworn testimony and bus camera footage as evidence, and mandates license suspension for first and repeat offenses.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Henry GiassonRPrime
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Sherri ReinfurtRClerk· Housing

Also: Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR, Rep. Jay MarkellR, Rep. Seth MillerD, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

34 signed in online · 16 wrote testimony

91% support0% oppose9% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

I fully support this Bill. I have two young sons and my oldest is in Kindergarten. He loves riding the bus to and from school but I always worry about people passing the bus when it stops to drop off and pick up students.
Rachel Palmer, Litchfieldsupports
Running a school bus stop sign and putting childrens lives in danger should carry a much higher fine and punishment than what we currently have in place.
Andrea Lobas, Nashuasupports
I am a school bus driver for First Student Inc. Located in Nashua NH. Our police force doesnt enforce the law pertaining to this matter regardless of filing reports and plate numbers. The dangers are a daily safety issues at all bus stops and school zones.
Mariah Jean Mariah Jean, Nashuasupports
Why not make these felonies? The senate is in love with manufacturing as many new felons as they can for what was previously misdemeanors. You have to keep up.
Daniel Richardson, Nashuaneutral
A mandatory license suspension based on the word of an “other witness” invites the weaponization of the court by unscrupulous people who may have a grudge against their neighbor or coparent. The high resolution camera on the stop bar (HB 1537) is a good idea.
Margaret Konze, Pembrokeneutral

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-3010:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-03-191:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 14
  2. Jan 30, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  3. Jan 30, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/30/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 13, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0523h 02/13/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 9
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0523: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 6
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0523h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 6
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 6
  8. Mar 19, 2026SenHearing: 03/19/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 10
  9. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1513s, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15
  10. Apr 23, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1513s, AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  11. Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1513s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  12. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1513s (Rep. Rhodes): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 4
  13. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jun 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 163; eff.01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.