Senate approves bill to redirect interstate speeding-ticket revenue to state treasury

Senate Bill 54, which would redirect revenue from speeding violations on interstates to the state treasurer while allowing local jurisdictions to keep court costs for prosecutions, passed the Utah Senate after a floor debate that split senators over whether enforcement was primarily a safety or revenue activity.

Senator Hickman, presenting the bill, said the legislation reflects a policy that “the interstate should be monitored by the highway patrol,” and that proceeds generated on the interstate should flow to the state rather than be treated as a revenue stream for local jurisdictions. He told the body counties had reported roughly $2,063,000 in revenue from interstate speeding tickets in 2005 (two counties did not respond to his request for data).

Senator Hatch, from Beaver County, pushed back on the revenue argument and described the citations in his county as largely for high-speed offenders, noting about 3,100 citations in 2005 with more than 2,700 above 90 mph and over 300 above 100 mph, which he said indicated a safety enforcement rationale.

Supporters said the bill would help centralize funds to hire and better pay highway patrol officers. Opponents worried the change would remove financial incentive for local officers to patrol the interstate.

On a roll call, the Senate recorded 16 yes, 11 no and 2 absent; the bill passed and was referred to the House for its further action.