WI
Wisconsin Senate Bill SB508
Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session
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Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB508

Introduced
10/9/25  
Refer
10/9/25  

Caption

An Act to renumber and amend 346.485 (2); to amend 346.485 (3) and 346.49 (3); to repeal and recreate 346.485 (4); to create 121.52 (6), 346.485 (2) (bm) and 346.49 (3m) of the statutes; Relating to: owner liability for illegally passing a school bus and providing a penalty.

Impact

By evolving the laws on traffic violations related to school buses, SB508 significantly enhances the enforcement mechanisms available to law enforcement agencies. The allowance for photographic and video reporting is seen as a critical advancement in deterring motorists from ignoring the flashing lights of a stopped school bus. The increased fines for violations serve as an additional deterrent aimed at enhancing safety for schoolchildren as they board or alight from buses. This change aims to mitigate the risks faced by children during critical times of the day.

Summary

Senate Bill 508 addresses owner liability for illegally passing a school bus that is discharging pupils. The bill introduces provisions that allow the use of photographic or video evidence to support the issuance of citations for traffic violations related to failure to stop for school buses displaying flashing red warning lights. This shift enables school bus operators and third-party vendors who monitor school bus cameras to report violations more efficiently and seek penalties against offenders. The bill proposes an increase in the maximum forfeiture for owner liability due to these violations, raising it to $500.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits for child safety, the bill lacks elements that could address privacy and due process concerns related to the use of automated systems for surveillance. There are worries from civil liberties advocates about the implications of relying on third-party vendors and automated systems for law enforcement purposes. Critics have raised concerns about the accuracy of the photographic evidence and the potential for wrongful citations, questioning whether all necessary safeguards are in place to ensure just enforcement of the law. This debate centers around balancing public safety with individuals' rights.

Latest WI SB508 Activity

View All Events: WI 2025-2026 Regular Session SB508

Companion Bills

WI AB561

Crossfiled An Act to renumber and amend 346.485 (2); to amend 346.485 (3) and 346.49 (3); to repeal and recreate 346.485 (4); to create 121.52 (6), 346.485 (2) (bm) and 346.49 (3m) of the statutes; Relating to: owner liability for illegally passing a school bus and providing a penalty.

Previously Filed As

WI AB561

Owner liability for illegally passing a school bus and providing a penalty.

WI AB104

An act to amend the Budget Act of 2025 (Chapters 4 and 5 of the Statutes of 2025) by amending Items 0540-103-0001, 0690-301-0001, 0977-401, 1700-001-0001, 3125-301-0140, 3125-301-6088, 3540-001-0001, 3790-111-0577, 3825-002-6088, 3970-492, 5180-101-0890, 5180-151-0001, 5180-151-0890, 6100-107-0001, 6440-001-0001, 6610-001-0001, 6870-101-0001, 6870-194-0001, and 7760-101-0001 of, adding Items 3340-490, 5225-493, 5225-494, 6100-492, and 6870-403 to, repealing Item 3125-301-0720 of, Section 2.

WI AB100

An act to amend the Budget Act of 2023 (Chapters 12, 38, and 189 of the Statutes of 2023) by amending Items 5227-122-0001 and 7502-495 of Section 2.

WI AB103

An act relating to the Budget Act of 2025.

WI HB993

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-205.1, 24.2-411.3, 24.2-643, 46.2-100, 46.2-332, 46.2-333.1, 46.2-335, 46.2-345.3, and 58.1-3 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal § 46.2-328.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to driver privilege cards and permits; discontinued.

WI HB1207

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 38.2-107.2, 38.2-135, 38.2-316, and 38.2-1800 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 38.2-107.3 and by adding in Title 60.2 a chapter numbered 8, consisting of sections numbered 60.2-800 through 60.2-818, relating to paid family and medical leave insurance program established; notice requirements; civil action; penalty.

WI HB434

Exempt military driver's license applicants from driver's ed

WI HB1179

Transportation; changes various provisions of existing funds, etc.

WI HB1179

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 33.2-359, 33.2-371, 33.2-1526, 33.2-1526.1, 33.2-3102, 33.2-3401, 33.2-3402, 33.2-3403, 33.2-3502, 46.2-774, and 46.2-2099.48 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 19 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-1904.1, by adding in Article 11 of Chapter 19 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-1937, by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-2402, by adding in Chapter 7 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-775, by adding a section numbered 58.1-603.3, and by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 58.1 articles numbered 13, 14, and 15, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-1749, 58.1-1750, and 58.1-1751; and to repeal § 33.2-3100.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to transportation funding.

WI AB1501

Physician assistants and podiatrists.

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