Assigned to TRANS                                                                                             FOR CAUCUS & FLOOR ACTION

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Forty-seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2615

school crossings; traffic violation; assessment

Purpose

            Doubles the assessment for a person found to be responsible for a civil traffic violation in a school crossing during school hours.  Outlines the court’s responsibilities in fee collection and distribution.

Background

A school crossing is a marked pedestrian crossing where school children cross a street on the way to or from school.

Arizona law currently allows the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Director or the appropriate local authority, with the advice of the school district governing board or county school superintendent, to mark crosswalks in front of each school building or school grounds abutting the crosswalks where children are required to cross the highway or street.  In certain circumstances, such as at an intersection containing a traffic control signal, the decision to establish a crosswalk at a particular location must be made on the basis of a traffic engineering study of the location.

In addition, portable “stop when children are in crosswalk” signs must be placed at the school crossings and school authorities are required to maintain these signs when school is in session and must remove them when school is not in session.

When a school authority places and maintains “stop when children in crosswalk” signs, all vehicles must come to a complete stop at the school crossing when the crosswalk is occupied by a person.  Also, vehicles approaching school crossings must not proceed at a speed of more than 15 miles per hour between the portable signs placed on the street or highway.

Currently, a person who violates a law regarding school crossings is subject to a civil penalty unless the statute defining the offense provides for a criminal classification.  Fine amounts vary between jurisdictions.

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Requires an assessment equal to the amount of the appropriate civil penalty if a person is found responsible for a civil traffic violation in a school crossing during school hours or while children are going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours.

2. Clarifies that surcharges will not be included in the doubled fine amount and those times when a person may be found responsible for a school crossing traffic violation.

3. Outlines the court’s responsibilities in fee collection and distribution.

4. Makes a conforming change.

5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Committee

1. Clarifies that surcharges will not be included in the doubled fine amount and those times when a person may be found responsible for a school crossing traffic violation.

2. Outlines the court’s responsibilities in fee collection and distribution.

House Action Senate Action

TRANS           1/26/06     DP     7-0-0-2-0                  TRANS           3/14/06      DPA     3-1-0-0

3^rd Read           2/13/06               45-12-3-0

Prepared by Senate Research

March 15, 2006

RD/ac