HB575 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Frances Holk-JonesRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Baldwin County, municipalities authorized to operate an automated photographic speeding enforcement system, jurisdiction of civil fines for violations provided for

Summary

HB575 would allow Baldwin County municipalities to operate automated speeding enforcement systems to issue civil speeding penalties by mail and establish a local process for notices, hearings, and appeals.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill authorizes municipalities in Baldwin County to use automated speed enforcement in designated zones and issue civil fines up to $195, with at least $10 of each fine funding safety-related programs. It requires signage and public awareness before and near zones, outlines how notices are sent and paid, and creates a civil adjudication process with possible hearings and circuit court appeals—separate from criminal court and records. It also specifies that penalties are not criminal convictions, do not appear on driving records, and include guardrails like late fees and data reporting to the Department of Transportation.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners whose vehicles are recorded speeding in Baldwin County municipalities that adopt the system; they would receive civil notices by mail, pay civil fines (up to $195), and may contest the penalty through adjudicative hearings or circuit court appeals.
• Baldwin County municipalities and their municipal courts/police departments that adopt the ordinance to operate the system; they would issue notices, collect fines, manage hearings, allocate portions of fines to safety uses, post required signage, and report data to the Department of Transportation.

Key Provisions

• Authorized use: Any municipality located wholly or partly in Baldwin County may operate an automated photographic speeding enforcement system in designated zones, issue civil violations by mail, and prosecute civil violations within municipal limits, with fines capped at $195 and at least $10 of each fine allocated to school safety or related programs.
• Notice and signage requirements: Municipalities must post signs at three road entry points, conduct a public announcement 30 days before starting, and post warnings within 50 yards of each zone where the system is in use.
• Notice, adjudication, and appeals: Notices of violation must be mailed within 30 days; violators may pay or request an adjudicative hearing; the municipality bears the burden of proof at hearings, and appeals go to the Baldwin County Circuit Court de novo; penalties are not criminal convictions and do not appear on driving records.
• Data and protections: Civil penalties include provisions for late fees, no jail for nonpayment, no criminal record entries from adjudications, and annual reporting of notices to the Department of Transportation; the act becomes effective June 1, 2025.

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

Subjects

Baldwin County