HB537 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur Payne
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Center Point, camera enforcement of traffic speed and red light violations, further provided for
Summary: HB537 would allow Center Point to use automated cameras to enforce red-light, stop-sign, and speeding violations as civil fines, with notices by mail and a new appeals process including trial de novo in Jefferson County Circuit Court.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes the City of Center Point to implement automated traffic safety enforcement for red-light, stop-sign, and speeding violations as civil offenses. It establishes owner liability by presumption and sets out notice, hearing, and payment procedures, including an administrative hearing option and potential judicial review in the Jefferson County Circuit Court (trial de novo). It also creates a mechanism for the person who pays the fine to seek reimbursement from the actual vehicle operator, and allows the City to contract with vendors and to collect data on enforcement effectiveness.

Who It Affects
Vehicle owners in Center Point who would receive mailed notices of civil violations and be presumptively liable for the fines, with opportunities to contest liability and to pursue payment compliance.
Vehicle operators who actually drove the vehicle at the time of the violation (including lessees and the information-sharing provisions involving lessors), who may be liable for payment or be pursued for reimbursement by the responsible owner, and who may be identified or contacted through lessee/lessor arrangements.

Key Provisions
Authorized automated traffic safety enforcement in Center Point for traffic signal, stop sign, and speeding violations, treated as civil violations with fines.
Owner of the vehicle is presumptively liable for the civil violation; procedures exist to contest liability; notices mailed to the owner; judicial review available in Jefferson County Circuit Court (trial de novo).
Creates a civil cause of action allowing the person who paid the fine to sue the actual operator of the vehicle for reimbursement and related damages; includes specific conditions and time limits for recovery.
City may adopt ordinances to implement the enforcement systems, issue notices by mail, and collect fines within city limits; the City may contract with a vendor to provide services.
Fines: traffic signal/stop-sign violations up to $110; speeding fines vary by how much over the limit (ranging from $60 to $160, with doubling in school zones during school hours); administrative hearing costs and a $10 CJIC fee apply; late fees up to $25 may be added.
Notice by mail must include violation details, a recorded image, fine amount, payment deadline, and rights to contest; receipt is presumed 10 days after mailing; payment due within 30 days after notice is mailed.
Administrative hearings: an Administrative Hearing Officer conducts hearings; the City bears the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence; affidavits from trained technicians may be used; decisions can be appealed to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for trial de novo; costs and attorney representation are addressed.
No jail time for nonpayment; civil adjudications do not appear on criminal or driving records and are not considered moving violations or insurance-premium-affecting events.
Lessor/lessee provisions: lessors are not liable during the lease period; lessee information may be requested and used to issue notices to the lessee; the lessee can be held liable in the same manner as an owner.
City must post warning signs at intersections with enforcement devices and along roadways where speed enforcement is used; data on effectiveness must be reported annually to ADOT and ACJIC.
Traffic signal timing and device placement must follow the Traffic Engineering Handbook; compliance is presumed unless proven otherwise by a preponderance of the evidence.
If criminal violations occur simultaneously with the civil violation, the City may not impose the civil fine; the act includes other standard defenses and administrative processes.

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