New penalties OK'd for passing buses

Rep. Charlene Fite (left), R-Van Buren,  is shown with  Rep. Mark McElroy, D-Tillar, and Rep. Stephen Magie, D-Conway, in this file photo.
Rep. Charlene Fite (left), R-Van Buren, is shown with Rep. Mark McElroy, D-Tillar, and Rep. Stephen Magie, D-Conway, in this file photo.

Legislation that would increase the penalties for drivers who illegally pass a school bus "while demonstrating a reckless disregard for safety" zipped through the Arkansas Senate on Thursday.

The Senate voted 33-0 to send House Bill 1006 by Rep. Charlene Fite, R-Van Buren, to Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

[RELATED: Complete Democrat-Gazette coverage of the Arkansas Legislature]

The penalty for such an offense would be a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $2,500 fine.

A Section on 02/15/2019

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