DFL Bill would remove school bus stop arm violation fines 

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Two Minnesota lawmakers have introduced bills aimed at easing punishments for stop arm violations.

Last year, we told you how the Minnesota Department of Public Safety was giving millions of dollars to districts to install stop arm cameras on buses. The goal was to find and hold people accountable who endanger children by driving past a stopped bus.

However, this week, two DFL lawmakers introduced bills that would eliminate the mandatory $500 fine for committing such an offense.

They are Rep. Cedrick Frazier of New Hope and Sen. Ron Latz of St. Louis Park. Northern News Now reached out to both lawmakers Wednesday.

Rep. Frazier got back to us, saying in a statement:
“Every Minnesota child deserves a safe journey to and from school. However, a one-size-fits-all mandatory penalty for passing a stopped school bus isn’t necessarily the best deterrent. My bill ensures strong enforcement of stop-arm violations while allowing judges to consider individual circumstances and impose fair, appropriate penalties.” Rep. Frazier

If the bill passes, bus stop-signal arm violations would still be a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor.