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Senate approves community-service penalties, higher fines for speeding in school zones
Summary
The Senate advanced House Bill 22 to require community service and raise penalties for certain school-zone speeding offenses. Supporters said on-the-ground service will better educate offenders about dangers near schools; the bill passed the third-reading roll call.
House Bill 22, carried on the floor by Senator Wharton, would impose community-service requirements and increased fines for specific speeding violations in school safety zones, including higher penalties for repeat offenders and those exceeding certain speed thresholds.
On the floor, Wharton argued the community-service element — requiring offenders to spend time at school safety zones — would expose violators to the hazards they create and be more educative than monetary fines alone. "If you're caught and you're over 30 miles an hour or it's your second or subsequent violation, we're going to make you perform community service at those school safety zones, and make you watch and see what happens," Wharton said.
Senator Petersen cautioned that infrastructure — clearly marked crosswalks, flashing lights and crossing guards — played a major role in improving safety and warned the bill should not substitute fines for continued investment in those measures. Senator Black detailed the complex surcharge structure that follows fines, listing percentages that fund emergency medical services, victims’ reparations, prosecution support, substance-abuse prevention and education accounts.
After floor debate and amendments that reduced some fine increases from earlier House language, the Senate recorded a final vote advancing HB 22 on third reading by 15 ayes, 11 nays and 3 absent. The bill will return on the third-reading calendar for final action or further amendment.
Next steps: Bill returns on the third-reading calendar for final disposition.
