Assemblymember Haney presented AB 289 to the Senate Transportation Committee as a measure to authorize automated speed enforcement in active highway construction zones, saying that vehicle intrusions into work zones have caused fatalities and serious injuries across California.

The bill would permit automated cameras in active state highway work zones and limit deployments. Supporters testified that the policy has reduced work-zone intrusions and speeding in other states and would help protect Caltrans and contractor crews who work nights and early mornings.

James Thirr Wacker (California State Council of Laborers) told the committee AB 289 is “critical” and described the threat faced by highway construction workers. Justin Self, who identified himself as a highway worker struck by a speeding vehicle and injured on the job, said the measure would reduce the number of lives lost and urged lawmakers to implement all possible protections.

Support also came from trade and construction groups including United Contractors, Associated General Contractors (California chapters), the State Building and Construction Trades Council and several labor locals; the Auto Club and other safety groups registered support. No primary opposition witnesses testified in the committee room during the hearing, and authors said they worked with CHP and Caltrans during drafting.

On policy specifics, the committee discussed operational limits: the bill author and sponsors described a statewide cap on deployments (the text discussed 75 camera deployments) and emphasized that cameras could only issue violations when workers were present in the active construction zone. Proponents said other states have seen large reductions in work-zone speeding and crashes after similar programs were adopted.

Committee action: The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 289 to the Committee on Judiciary (the transcript shows committee staff announcing the motion as "due passed to committee on judiciary"). The clerk recorded votes during the hearing; staff noted the item would be left on call for absent members before final disposition in Appropriations.

Why it matters: Work-zone intrusions and speeding present acute hazards to construction crews and emergency-response personnel. Supporters characterized the policy as a targeted safety tool implemented elsewhere in the U.S.; opponents (in other venues, not present at this hearing) have raised concerns about enforcement mechanics and possible traffic-safety tradeoffs from sudden braking.

What’s next: AB 289 was moved out of Senate Transportation to Judiciary and then held for further consideration; sponsors and agencies said they would continue technical coordination on operational and privacy safeguards.