Committee reviews automated traffic safety camera bill and $1.18M proviso lift for non‑school cameras

Seattle City Council members on the Transportation Committee on April 15 heard a presentation from the Seattle Department of Transportation and central staff on proposed local legislation to align city code with 2024 changes in Washington state law governing automated traffic safety cameras, and discussed a separate budget authorization to spend $1,180,000 of general fund money on non‑school speed cameras.

The legislation, presented by Vinnie Nemani, Chief Transportation Safety Officer and City Traffic Engineer with the Seattle Department of Transportation, would update Seattle Municipal Code to incorporate the state’s newly enumerated camera types, remove references to repealed “racing zone” cameras, require safety and equity siting analyses before placing or relocating cameras, and revise local provisions on signage, warnings and fines. Nemani said the city would publish updated implementation guidance after the ordinance is adopted.

Why it matters: Committee members and public commenters framed the changes as consequential for safety, equity and privacy. The state law sets a $145 maximum penalty for camera infractions and permits schools and certain work zones to be subject to higher amounts; the local changes would set Seattle fines below that cap except for school and certain work‑zone provisions and would consolidate most camera revenues into an Automated Traffic Camera Safety Fund to pay for program administration, camera installation and safety infrastructure…