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Senate panel advances changes to school-zone camera rules but rejects broader cleanup bill

Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works · March 18, 2026

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Summary

The committee moved SB330 (pavement-marking clarification for school-zone speed cameras) forward without objection while a related cleanup bill, SB138, failed a committee vote after debate about municipal exemptions and federal compliance; police chiefs and vendors testified on both sides.

Two related measures about automated school-zone speed enforcement moved differently through the Senate Transportation Committee on March 18.

Senator Owen's SB330, described as a cleanup measure to clarify pavement markings (larger 'SCHOOL' markings across lanes) and to enable DOTD permitting on state highways, was reported favorably without objection after supporters including vendor Blue Line Solutions and local police chiefs offered backing. "This was brought by Blue Line Solutions," an industry representative told the committee, and testified that the bill would allow permits to flow on state highways.

A separate bill, SB138, presented by Senator Kathy to align state law with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and remove a single-municipality exemption, drew sharper debate. Supporters said the change removes a conflict with federal standards and ensures equal treatment of municipalities; opponents, including law-enforcement officials, raised concerns about local control and implementation. Opelousas Police Chief Greg LeBlanc testified local photo enforcement cut downtown speeding by about 50% and argued it improved pedestrian safety: "The technology is outstanding... It has lowered our speeding in our downtown historical area by 50%."

The committee adopted a DOTD-requested amendment (No. 994) but, on a subsequent motion to report SB138 as amended, Senator Price objected and a roll-call vote recorded four no votes and two yes votes; the chair announced that SB138 would be reported unfavorably. The committee reported SB330 favorably and sent it on for further consideration; SB138 will not advance from this committee as presented.