The amendment to Tennessee House Bill 55, calling for harsher penalties for drivers who illegally pass a school bus, was withdrawn on Jan. 23.
The amended version states that illegally passing a school bus is punishable by a fine of no less than $500 and no more than $3,000.
HB0055 was introduced by Rep. Jason Potts on Thursday, making the above offense a Class E Felony. Rep. Jason Hodges is also a sponsor of the introduced legislation.
If passed, the bill will take effect on July 1, 2019, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date.
The bill currently stands as a Class A misdemeanor, resulting in a fine between $250 and $1,000.
