COMMITTEE REPORT
February 26, 2020
H. 4694
S. Printed 2/26/20--H.
Read the first time January 14, 2020.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4694) to amend Section 59-67-210, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the unlawful passing of a school bus by another school bus, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
MERITA A. ALLISON for Committee.
Explanation of Fiscal Impact
Updated for Additional Agency Response
Introduced on January 14, 2020
State Expenditure
The bill amends Section 59-67-210 so as to provide that a school bus may lawfully pass another school bus on a multilane highway. The bill also repeals Section 59-67-515 relating to speed limits for public school buses.
Department of Public Safety. The bill requires the department to perform activities that will be conducted in the normal course of department business. As a result, this bill does not have an expenditure impact on the general fund, other funds, or federal funds.
This fiscal impact statement has been updated based on a response from the Department of Public Safety.
Local Expenditure
The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office anticipates this bill does not have an expenditure impact on local governments because the bill requires local law enforcement to perform activities that will be conducted in the normal course of department business.
Introduced on January 14, 2020
State Expenditure
The bill amends Section 59-67-210 so as to provide that a school bus may lawfully pass another school bus on a multilane highway. The bill also repeals Section 59-67-515 relating to speed limits for public school buses.
Department of Public Safety. The expenditure impact of this bill is pending, contingent upon a response from the agency.
Local Expenditure
The expenditure impact of this bill is pending, contingent upon a response from local governments.
Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director
Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office
TO AMEND SECTION 59-67-210, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL PASSING OF A SCHOOL BUS BY ANOTHER SCHOOL BUS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL BUS MAY LAWFULLY PASS ANOTHER SCHOOL BUS ON A MULTILANE HIGHWAY; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 59-67-515 RELATING TO SPEED LIMITS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL BUSES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 59-67-210 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-67-210. It shall be unlawful for any person operating a school bus to pass another school bus unless the lead bus is in a stopped position and the driver of the lead bus has signalled to the operator of the bus in the rear that it is safe to pass. However, a school bus may pass another school bus on a multilane highway. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined the sum of one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for a term of thirty days."
SECTION 2. Section 59-67-515 of the 1976 Code is repealed.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.