Oregon legislature passes House Bill 2530 to enhance school bus safety with stop arm cameras

The Senate Committee on Education convened on April 30, 2025, to discuss House Bill 2530, which aims to enhance the enforcement of stop arm camera laws for school buses in Oregon. The meeting highlighted the importance of student safety and the need for legislative adjustments to support the effective implementation of these safety measures.

The bill, introduced by Representative Boomer Wright, builds on the previous legislation, House Bill 4147, which legalized the optional use of stop arm cameras on school buses. Wright emphasized that the primary goal of the bill is to ensure the safety of children as they board and disembark from school buses. He noted that many school districts are eager to adopt this technology but face technical barriers that this new legislation seeks to address.

Key provisions of House Bill 2530 include the requirement for school districts to contract with private organizations for the installation of stop arm cameras, the establishment of a rebuttable presumption that warning lights on buses are operational when a citation is issued, and the allocation of fine revenue from violations to the education providers that installed the cameras. This revenue-sharing model is designed to incentivize school districts to invest in safety technology.

Representative Courtney Neuron supported the bill, citing alarming statistics from a nationwide survey indicating that over 62,000 vehicles unlawfully passed school buses during a brief observation period. In Oregon alone, more than 1,400 violations were recorded in a single day. Neuron highlighted the necessity of these legislative changes to clarify contract partnerships and ensure that citation revenue is distributed fairly.

The committee also heard from Alina Prine, representing Bus Patrol, a student safety technology company. Prine reiterated the importance of the bill in addressing the thousands of illegal passings of stopped school buses each year and emphasized the need for collaboration between school districts and law enforcement.

Dr. Sami Aladrobo, a member of the Corvallis School Board, expressed his support for the bill, citing community concerns about budgetary challenges that affect children's access to educational opportunities. He noted that the bill would facilitate the sustainable adoption of stop arm camera enforcement, thereby enhancing road safety for students.

The committee engaged in discussions regarding the practical implications of the rebuttable presumption clause, particularly how drivers could prove that bus lights were not operational at the time of a violation. This point raised questions about the evidentiary burden on drivers contesting citations.

In conclusion, the Senate Committee on Education's meeting underscored the urgency of improving school bus safety measures through legislative action. House Bill 2530 is positioned as a critical step toward protecting students and ensuring that school districts can effectively implement stop arm camera programs while addressing budgetary constraints. The committee's discussions will inform the next steps in the legislative process as they work toward a vote on the bill.