1 Overtaking and Passing School Bus. Amend RSA 265:54, I-a and I-b to read as follows:

I-a. Testimony under oath from the school bus driver or other witness that a vehicle failed to stop and remain stopped as required by paragraph I shall be sufficient evidence to prove that the owner of the vehicle was driving and has violated the provisions of paragraph I, unless such evidence is rebutted or contradicted.

I-b. Except as provided in paragraph IV, a person who violates the provisions of paragraph I shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined $150 plus penalty assessment for a first offense, and shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 for a subsequent offense. In addition, the director may suspend the person's license to drive or nonresident driving privilege for a period of 30 days for a second or subsequent offense.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.

1 Overtaking and Passing School Bus. Amend RSA 265:54, I-a and I-b to read as follows:

I-a. Testimony under oath from the school bus driver or other witness that a vehicle failed to stop and remain stopped as required by paragraph I shall be sufficient evidence to prove that the owner of the vehicle was driving and has violated the provisions of paragraph I, unless such evidence is rebutted or contradicted. The camera footage from the bus may be used as evidence as proof against the vehicle owner or operator and shall be made available by subpoena to the county attorney. Camera footage may be used for no other purpose, unless otherwise permitted by law.

I-b. Except as provided in paragraph IV, a person who violates the provisions of paragraph I shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor and shall be fined $300 plus penalty assessment for a first offense In addition, the director shall suspend the person 's license to drive or nonresident driving privilege for a period of 7 days for the first offense.

I-c. Except as provided in paragraph IV, a person who violates the provisions of paragraph I, a second or subsequent time shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, and shall be fined not less than $750. Unless the court determines that exceptional circumstances exist, the person's driver's license or privilege to drive shall be revoked for a period of not less than 30 days.

I-d. Except as provided in paragraph IV, a person who violates the provisions of paragraph I, a third or subsequent time shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, and shall be fined not less than $750. The person shall be sentenced to a mandatory sentence of not less than 15 consecutive days in the county correctional facility. The person's driver's license or privilege to drive shall be revoked indefinitely and shall not be restored for at least one year. At the end of the minimum revocation period the person may petition the court for eligibility to reapply for a driver's license only after completing a driver safety course.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.