SB149 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Class 1 municipality (B'ham), traffic violations, red light, stop signs, and speeding, automated camera enforcement

Summary

SB149 would let Class 1 municipalities use automated traffic cameras to enforce red lights, stop signs, and speeding as civil violations with notices sent by mail.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a municipality to implement automated traffic safety enforcement for red light, stop sign, and speeding violations as civil offenses. It sets fines (up to $110 for stop signs and red lights; tiered speeding fines) and directs a portion of fines to state agencies; notices are mailed to the vehicle owner and payment is due within a set timeframe. It provides an administrative hearing process, potential circuit court review, and specific defenses, while ensuring the violations remain civil (not criminal) and do not count as driving records or insurance modifiers. It also includes renter liability rules, data reporting requirements, and guidelines for signage, enforcement timing, and procedural safeguards.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners of cars registered in Alabama within a Class 1 municipality: presumptively liable for civil fines for violations detected by automated systems and receive notices by mail; may contest liability via administrative hearing or circuit court.
• Renters/lessees of rental vehicles: not liable during the rental period unless the lessor provides renter information and the renter is subsequently billed; the renter may be held liable in the same manner as an owner.

Key Provisions

• Authorized Class 1 municipalities to adopt ordinances implementing automated traffic signal, stop sign, and speed enforcement systems and to issue notices of civil violations by mail.
• Fines: up to $110 for traffic signal and stop sign violations; tiered speeding fines (ranging from $60 to $160 depending on excess speed), with doubling in school zones during specified times; first $10 of each fine goes to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.
• Administrative and judicial review: an administrative hearing process with a $30 hearing cost; potential circuit court review on a de novo basis with civil standards; notices and deadlines defined, and failure to pay or contest liability as admission unless timely contested.
• Defenses and exemptions: affirmative defenses (e.g., unclear signage, officer directions, emergency vehicle operation, stolen vehicle or plate, or other hazardous conditions); renters may transfer liability to the renter after information is provided by the lessor.
• Not criminal: adjudications are civil; no arrest for nonpayment; no impact on criminal or driving records, insurance rates, or moving violations; municipalities may pursue civil collection and impose possible late fees.
• Operational safeguards: required signage at enforcement locations; data reporting to ATD and CJIC; compliance with traffic engineering standards; ability to modify or relocate devices; rental/lessor data sharing as needed for enforcement.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Jefferson County