Governor Schwarzenegger has signed a measure, sponsored by the California Bus Association, to stiffen the penalties for charter bus companies found to be in violation of safety and licensing regulations.

Assembly Bill 636 was introduced by Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, following October, 2008, charter bus crash in Colusa County that killed 11 onboard. Just last week, the bus driver, Quintin Watts, 53, was found guilty of 11 counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and 21 enhancements of great bodily injury.

Watts was found to not have the necessary driver's license endorsement to be transporting passengers and according to Jones' office, the bus had been registered as non-operational with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

AB 636 calls for the permanent revocation of a bus company's operating permit if it is found to be operating without a permit or on a suspended license; fails to register its buses with DMV; or knowingly hires an unlicensed bus driver. Unlicensed bus drivers will also face a five-year suspension from driving. 

AB 951 will increase the penalties and fines for violations by bus operators who are in non-compliance with the Passenger Charter-Party Carriers’ Act, subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC). 

Dan Eisentrager, Coach American West:  “This is one of the best bills that CBA has been able to get passed.” 

Mike Waters, Franciscan Lines, A Coach America Company, "This is the first significant enforcement I can think of for charter companies. Certainly a big step toward weeding out the bad operators and these bills reinforce the importance of CBA. Job well done everybody!”

AB 636 takes effect Jan 1, 2010.