House limits automated traffic‑camera enforcement to school zones after amendments; bill passes

The Louisiana House on Thursday passed legislation that sharply restricts where automated traffic‑camera citations may be issued and requires additional signage and timing rules for school‑zone enforcement.

Senate Bill 99, carried in the House as amended, narrows automated speed enforcement to school zones and sets enforcement windows largely tied to school hours. Representative Desotel, who spoke on the bill, argued for tighter controls on automated citations and noted concerns that cameras could be used mostly for revenue generation: “I don’t think we need a new reason to pull people over and give them traffic tickets,” he told the chamber.

Lawmakers adopted multiple floor amendments over several hours. Representative Mike Miller proposed an amendment to exempt his city (Opelousas) from the new restrictions so that the municipality could continue its existing program; Miller said the local program “is helping boost the morale and the safety of his police officers.” That local carve‑out survived a roll call and was briefly adopted after a close vote.

Representative Brett Boyer offered an amendment restoring longer school‑zone enforcement windows and clarifying signage — changes supporters said reflected committee negotiations with city and parish governments. Representative Miller’s amendment that sought a particular local exemption was debated, and a subsequent amendment from Representative Cox to expand coverage to parks and…