Bill > S3218

Introduced Session

This bill, designated as the "School Zone Automated Speed Enforcement and Safety Act," authorizes each municipality and county to install and activate automated speed enforcement systems (systems) in school zones within the jurisdiction of the municipality or county (governing authority) administering the automated speed enforcement system. Under the bill, a system is not to be activated unless the governing authority conducts a traffic engineering and speed study that documents that the school zone has a high volume of pedestrian traffic and a documented safety need, as outlined in the bill. The bill establishes certain capability requirements for a system that is properly calibrated, as outlined in the bill. The bill requires a governing authority to install signage indicating a system is being utilized and identifying the boundaries of the school zone and a flashing beacon or other signal indicating when the system is active. The dimensions and location of the signage are to meet certain requirements, as outlined in the bill. In addition, the bill authorizes a law enforcement agency, following review of a recorded digital image of a violation, to issue a summons where a motor vehicle is observed traveling at least 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit in the school zone where the system is installed. However, a summons is only to be issued for violations occurring Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The bill permits the registered owner (owner) or authorized operator of a motor vehicle to contest a summons in accordance with the applicable Rules of Court. Under the bill, an owner or authorized operator found liable for a violation captured by a system (violation) is to be subject to a maximum fine of $75. However, the governing authority is to arrange for payment plans, fine reductions, or community service alternatives to the fine for an owner or authorized operator who has demonstrated financial hardship, as determined by the court, provided that the fine is not reduced to less than $25 unless the owner or authorized operator is required to perform court-ordered community service. No motor vehicle points or automobile insurance eligibility points are to be assessed for an owner or authorized operator found liable for a violation. Additionally, the bill requires each system to undergo daily self-diagnostic calibration checks and annual independent calibration certifications, as outlined in the bill. A summons is to be void upon a finding that the system failed the daily self-diagnostic calibration check on the day of the alleged violation. The bill specifies that a vendor is to be compensated on a flat-fee or time-based model and is prohibited from receiving compensation based on the number of summonses issued or the amount of revenue generated in monetary fines. The bill establishes certain restrictions on the information collected and retained by the system, as outlined in the bill. The bill further requires a governing authority to publish an annual report on information collected by the system, as outlined in the bill, and requires the Department of Transportation (department) to annually report certain information to the Governor and to the Legislature, as outlined in the bill. Finally, the bill establishes a special non-lapsing fund, to be known as the "School Zone Safety Improvement Fund," and directs all revenue generated from monetary fines for violations to be deposited into the fund to be used for certain pedestrian safety initiatives, as outlined in the bill. Beginning one year following the date of enactment of the bill, the department is required to disburse to each governing authority all monies collected in the fund during the prior fiscal year in proportion to the number of violations in the prior fiscal year.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Troy Singleton (D)*,  Patrick Diegnan (D), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee (on 01/28/2026)

Official Document