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Committee tables bill to lower school-bus-passing fines after emotional testimony from victim’s family
Summary
Georgia House committee heard hours of debate and emotional testimony about a substitute to House Bill 344 that would change penalties for passing a stopped school bus; the committee voted to table the bill after family members of a child killed by a driver urged lawmakers to retain Addie’s Law.
Representative Don Parsons introduced a substitute for House Bill 344, proposing changes to penalties for drivers who pass stopped school buses with stop‑arms deployed. The substitute would set a civil penalty and moving‑traffic penalty range of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 and direct civil penalty revenue toward “school safety.”
The bill’s proponents said the change restores judicial discretion after a 2024 law set a flat $1,000 civil penalty that they say left judges no flexibility for payment plans or probation. Representative Mitchell Scoggins said the substitute “set[s] a minimum fine for the passing of the school bus and a max of a thousand dollars and give[s] the judge a little flexibility,” citing examples of people who could not pay a $1,000 fine at once.
Opponents, including family members of Addie Pierce — an 8‑year‑old who was struck and killed while boarding a bus last year — urged lawmakers to preserve the higher penalties. Caleb King, Addie’s uncle, told the committee the family “will oppose this wherever it goes” and asked lawmakers to withdraw the bill. The bill’s original author of “Addie’s Law” testified that the statute, as passed last year, was intended to create a strong deterrent; she warned lowering penalties or removing judge discretion could undermine that goal.
Committee members debated whether judges already retain discretion under Georgia law. A committee member cited OCGA 17‑10‑3 and 17‑10‑5 during the discussion but members disagreed about how those statutes apply to the civil penalty created last year. Several members emphasized both public‑safety goals and fairness to defendants who may lack ability to pay.
After testimony from multiple family members, first responders and legislators, Representative Gullett moved to table House Bill 344. The committee seconded the motion and, after a voice vote, the motion to table carried; the committee chair announced the item was tabled and scheduled a quick break. No roll‑call tally was provided in the transcript.
The committee did not take final action on the bill; the motion to table leaves the measure available for future consideration. The session included several lawmakers and multiple public witnesses; several said they would continue advocacy outside the committee if the bill proceeds.
