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Senate adopts stricter rules for school-zone speed cameras, adds local referendums and limits on enforcement
Summary
The Senate agreed to a substitute that narrows automated school-zone enforcement to limited hours, sets DOT as the primary permitting authority, requires flashing lights and local referenda every six years, caps enforcement to drivers exceeding posted speed by 10+ mph, and restricts use of revenues; the bill was transmitted to the House after final actions.
The Senate approved a compromise substitute reshaping automated speed-enforcement in school zones.
The sponsor explained that the substitute makes the Department of Transportation the primary regulator, requires flashing lights when reduced school speeds are enforced, and limits automated enforcement to one hour before school, during instruction time, and one hour after school. It also restricts violations to drivers traveling at least 10 miles per hour above the posted reduced speed and reduces electronic processing fees. The substitute provides permit-review and appeal procedures to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety for suspension or revocation.
Local control advocates secured a requirement that new or renewed local contracts for camera enforcement be put to a public referendum every six years, meaning citizens would periodically vote on whether to keep automated enforcement in their communities. The substitute also bars the use of camera revenues for personnel salaries and narrows allowable uses to law enforcement or public-safety initiatives.
Amendments on second-offense fine amounts were debated and voted down on the floor. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate substitute and immediately transmitted the engrossed bill to the House as recorded on the floor.
Ending: Supporters described the measure as balancing safety, transparency and local control; critics said cameras remain an imperfect enforcement tool and urged close oversight and strict permit enforcement by state agencies.
