Senate bill · S10694 (2025-26)
Increases the penalties for overtaking and passing a school bus
New York State Senate
Same as A3492, the matching bill in the Assembly.
Sponsor: Pamela Helming (State Senator, District 54, Republican/Conservative/Independence)
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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 29, 2026. About our data
Summary
Increases the penalties for overtaking and passing a school bus; provides that for the first conviction a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $350 nor more than $500; provides that for a second conviction a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $800; also provides that for a third conviction a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $800 nor more than $1500.
Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries
Amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Purpose, from the sponsor's memo
Increases the penalties for passing a school bus with its red lights illuminated indicating that it is picking up or discharging students.
Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)
Where it stands
Assigned to a committee for review.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Rules · New York State Assembly
Also referred to Rules · New York State Senate, Transportation · New York State Assembly, Transportation · New York State Senate.
Your position on this bill
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The sponsor's argument
Why Pamela Helming says this is needed
Overtaking a school bus exacts a heightened and unconscionable threat to the lives of millions of New York children who ride the bus each day. New York State needs to set a precedent of zero tolerance for such law breakers and ensure that our children's safety is put at the forefront of our state's agenda. Overtaking a school bus place many vulnerable lives at risk, and those who break this law should be stopped and punished in way that reflects the severity of the crime.
This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.
Full history
- Sep 11, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO RULES
NY Senate
- Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
- Jan 28, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
Read the record
- Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.