SB201 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Dick Brewbaker
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Montgomery, traffic camera enforcement, Act 2011-298, 2011 Reg. Sess., Act 2011-337, 2011 Reg. Sess., repealed; Act 2009-740, 2009 Reg. Sess., am'd.
Summary: Montgomery's automatic traffic camera speeding enforcement is repealed, and the civil penalty and adjudication process for camera-detected violations is updated.
What This Bill Does
The bill repeals the prior Montgomery automatic speeding camera laws. It then updates how civil penalties for camera-detected violations are handled, including notice by certified mail within 30 days, detailed notice content, the option to pay in lieu of a hearing, and adjudication in the Montgomery Municipal Court. It sets rules on evidence, deadlines, penalties, and defenses, and allows warning notices in place of notices of violation. The act becomes law a few months after approval by the Governor.

Who It Affects
Vehicle owners whose vehicles are recorded by Montgomery's traffic signal enforcement system and may receive a notice of violation and civil penalty (including owners registered in Alabama or another state/country).
The City of Montgomery and the Montgomery Municipal Court, which issue notices, collect penalties, and conduct adjudicative hearings for camera-detected violations.

Key Provisions
Repeals Sections 1-13 of Act 2011-298 and Act 2011-337, which previously governed automatic photographic speeding enforcement in Montgomery.
Amends Sections 5 and 6 of Act 2009-740 to require: notice by certified mail within 30 days to the vehicle owner, including specific information such as violation description, date/time/location, recorded images, penalty amount, and the option to pay without a hearing.
Notice is presumed received on the 10th day after mailing, and the civil penalty must be paid within 30 days after that 10th day.
A warning notice may be mailed in lieu of a notice of violation, at the city's discretion.
The Montgomery Municipal Court handles adjudications; a timely hearing request must be filed within 15 days after the 10th day after mailing to contest liability.
The city bears the burden of proving the violation by a preponderance of the evidence at a hearing; affidavits from trained technicians may be used as evidence.
Evidence and procedural rules follow small claims in most aspects, with circuit court rules applying on de novo appeals; recorded images and authenticity certificates are admissible without full foundation unless untrustworthiness is shown.
Penalties that are not paid or contested timely result in liability for court costs and a late penalty up to $25 per month; penalties cannot be altered by the court and must be paid as set.
Affirmative defenses include issues such as improper signage, officer directions, emergency vehicle exceptions, stolen vehicle or plate, improper vehicle ownership, or hazardous road conditions.

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