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Panel debates automated speed-enforcement collections; bill amended then tabled after extended testimony
Summary
Senate Bill 91 would impose guardrails on automated speed-enforcement programs, limit collections and impoundment for unpaid civil citations and require adherence to state graduated penalty structures. After amendments and extensive testimony from municipalities, traffic safety advocates and law enforcement, the committee tabled the bill.
Senate Bill 91, which would impose limits on how municipalities administer automated speed-camera civil citations, drew extended testimony from the City of Albuquerque, traffic-safety advocates, bicycling advocates and law enforcement before the Judiciary Committee voted to table the measure.
What the bill would do: The sponsor said the proposal does not ban camera enforcement but would require that camera-issued civil fines follow the graduated penalties used when an officer makes a traffic stop, limit the use of collections or credit reporting for unpaid camera fines and bar an impoundment of vehicles solely for unpaid camera citations unless other lawful grounds for impoundment apply. The sponsor also noted a state statute that caps municipal civil fines for traffic infractions at $100; the bill clarifies that automatic-camera citations must observe the same cap and penalty structure.
Support and opposition: Testimony split. Safety advocates and BikeABQ told the committee automated enforcement reduces high-speed driving and saves lives; BikeABQ emphasized community-service options in lieu of payment that the city offers. The city’s Department of Municipal Development and traffic division leaders defended Albuquerque’s ASE program, citing evidence of large reductions in drivers exceeding posted speeds. Municipal League representatives warned the bill would preempt local authority over public-safety programs and argued camera enforcement frees law enforcement resources for other priorities.
Law enforcement perspective: Albuquerque traffic officers and the department’s fatal-crash sergeant described seeing severe injuries and fatalities tied to high speeds and said automated enforcement is a proven tool to reduce dangerous driving.
Amendment and outcome: The committee adopted a sponsor amendment clarifying collections practices and capping fines under existing state limits, but after extended debate members moved to table the bill; the chair announced the motion to table was approved.
Next steps: The tabling motion means SB 91 will not proceed out of committee at this time; sponsors and municipal stakeholders said they would use the debate to refine program administration and statutory language.
