119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 7204

School Bus Stop-Arm Safety Camera Act

In Committee

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

This bill aims to improve school bus safety by encouraging the use of stop-arm safety cameras. It directs federal agencies to study the benefits of these cameras and develop best practices for their implementation, including data privacy and revenue sharing. The bill then establishes a grant program where the Secretary of Transportation can provide funding to states for the purchase, equipping, and maintenance of school buses with stop-arm safety cameras.

Key provisions

A study will be conducted to examine the benefits of stop-arm safety cameras.
Federal agencies will recommend best practices for data management, privacy, and data sharing.
The Secretary of Transportation will establish a grant program for states.
Grants can be used to purchase new buses, equip existing buses, and maintain camera technology.
Eligible recipients are State educational agencies.
The program is based on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Who is affected

State educational agencies
School bus drivers
Students riding school buses
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Notable changes

The bill introduces a federal grant program to incentivize the adoption of stop-arm safety cameras.
It mandates a study to inform best practices for camera implementation and data management.

Positions across the country

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Legislative history

2026-01-22House

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2026-01-22House

2026-01-22

Introduced in House

2026-01-22

Introduced in House

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Jan 22, 2026XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 2d Session

H. R. 7204

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program to increase the use of stop-arm safety camera technology on schoolbuses, and for other purposes.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

School Bus Stop-Arm Safety Camera Act

2.Schoolbus stop-arm safety cameras study and grant program

(a)Study

(1)In generalThe Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in coordination with the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, shall conduct a study to examine the benefits of requiring schoolbuses in the United States to be equipped with stop-arm safety cameras.

(2)RecommendationsNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall publish on a publicly available website of each respective Administrator—

(A)the findings of the study conducted under paragraph (1); and

(B)with respect to the use of stop-arm safety cameras, recommendations on best practices regarding—

(i)

data management and privacy safeguards;

(ii)data sharing with law enforcement for fair adjudication of alleged traffic violations; and

(iii)fee and revenue sharing structures to ensure programs are financially self-sustaining and advance student safety.

(b)Grant program

(1)Establishment

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a grant program to increase the use of stop-arm safety camera technology on schoolbuses.

(2)Eligible recipientsThe Secretary may award a grant under the program established under paragraph (1) to a State educational agency.

(3)Applications

(A)In general

To be eligible for a grant under the program established under paragraph (1), an entity described in paragraph (2) shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(B)Notification

Before the date on which the Secretary begins to accept applications, the Secretary shall notify State educational agencies of the grant availability.

(4)Use of fundsFunds awarded under the program established under paragraph (1) may be used to—

(A)purchase schoolbuses that are equipped with stop-arm safety camera technology;

(B)

equip such technology on schoolbuses that are already owned; and

(C)

install, maintain, and repair such technology.

(5)Definition of State educational agencyIn this subsection, the term State educational agency has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

HR 7204

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsor

Positions across the country

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Bill text

Positions across the country