HB575 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Lesley Vance
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Phenix City, motor vehicles, automated photographic traffic light enforcement authorized, procedures, posting of informational signs, civil fines and court costs, additional court costs for record keeping by Criminal Justice Information Center, appeals, penalties for intentional tampering with device, Phenix City Red Light Safety Act
Summary: Phenix City can use automated red-light cameras to issue civil penalties to vehicle owners, with defined notice, hearing, and appeal processes and safeguards against tampering.
What This Bill Does
The city may operate a photographic traffic signal enforcement system to detect red-light violations and pursue civil penalties, not criminal charges. The civil fine is capped at $100 plus municipal court costs, plus a $10 fee to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center for record keeping; notices are mailed to the vehicle owner, with a 30-day payment period and options to contest. Owners may contest in Phenix City Municipal Court, and the decision can be appealed to the Russell County Circuit Court for a trial de novo; the actual driver can be sued by the person who paid the civil fine to recover the amount paid. The system must post signs, provide public notice before use, and safeguards ensure civil penalties do not appear on criminal records or affect insurance.

Who It Affects
Vehicle owners whose vehicles are recorded by Phenix City's automated red-light enforcement system will receive notices, may be liable for civil penalties, and can contest liability in municipal court.
The actual drivers operating the vehicle at the time of the violation may be pursued for reimbursement of the civil fine paid by someone else, and may raise affirmative defenses at adjudication.

Key Provisions
Allows Phenix City to use an automated photographic traffic signal enforcement system to detect red-light violations and issue civil notices of violation by mail within the city.
Defines civil violation and civil fine (maximum $100) with related municipal court costs; adds a $10 fee to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center for record keeping; fines and costs are handled like other municipal matters.
Requires notices to be mailed to the registered owner within 30 days, includes images, penalty amount, payment deadline, and options to contest; presumes receipt on the 10th day after mailing.
Establishes Phenix City Municipal Court as the adjudicating body, with burden on the city to prove liability by a preponderance of the evidence; allows appeals to Russell County Circuit Court for trial de novo.
Mandates signage and public notice (minimum five entry signs; 30-day awareness campaign; intersection signs) and permits decoy devices; requires public announcements before operation.
Allows a separate civil action by the payer against the actual operator for reimbursement of the civil fine (with a 60-day written demand and a two-year statute of limitations after payment).
Prohibits tampering with the photographic system except by authorized persons; civil penalties are not criminal penalties and do not appear on criminal or driving records; late fees may apply but no arrest for nonpayment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Russell County