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Lawmakers note Lowndes County precedent as they weigh statewide radar rules
Summary
A senator noted that Lowndes County has allowed sheriff radar since 1972 with few complaints and questioned whether any existing county authorizations would be affected by the new bill; the sponsor said existing authorizations likely remain in effect if based on separate legal authority.
During discussion of SB 2614, one senator described Lowndes County’s long history permitting sheriff radar (since 1972) and said his sheriff typically issues warnings and is not accused of abusing the tool. He used the example to argue local accountability and precedent should inform the statewide change. Senator Mike Thompson said he was not aware of other counties with similar authorizations and that if another legal authorization already exists for a county, this bill should not alter it.
The exchange underscored that the bill seeks to create a default permission for counties that do not already allow sheriff radar, while leaving any separately authorized county practices intact unless those practices are based on the same code section the bill modifies.
