House Bill 583 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike KirklandRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Work Zone Safety Act; pilot program to establish photographic speed enforcement system in a work zone on interstate highway, provided; civil penalties for violations, provided

Summary

HB583 would create a pilot Alabama Work Zone Safety Act allowing automated speed cameras in a designated interstate work zone and establishing civil penalties for speeding in that zone.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a pilot program in one interstate work zone to procure, install, and operate an automated speed enforcement system. It creates a civil traffic citation process where the vehicle owner is cited for speeding 10 mph or more over the posted limit in an active work zone, with a $250 civil penalty, mailed notices, and no criminal penalties or license points. It requires planning, phased rollout, and reporting on the program’s effectiveness, with interim assessments and deadlines for full implementation. It also sets rules for notices, defenses, appeals, operator training, calibration, and how penalties are distributed.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners (residents and out-of-state) whose vehicles are recorded speeding in an active work zone and who may receive notices and must pay or contest civil penalties
• State agencies and contractors (Alabama Department of Transportation, ALEA, and the Alabama Toll Road, Bridge, and Tunnel Authority) responsible for implementing, operating, calibrating, and enforcing the system
• Rental car companies and similar vehicle owners that may need to provide driver information to identify the person who was driving at the time of violation
• Highway workers and the general traveling public in work zones, with safety measures and signage intended to reduce crashes and speeding in work zones

Key Provisions

• Establishes the act as a pilot program to install automated speed enforcement in one interstate work zone and directs development of a phased rollout plan by Oct 1, 2026, with full enforcement not before Nov 16, 2026 and automatic sunset upon completion unless extended by the Legislature
• Authorizes the use of automated speed enforcement devices (and manually operated systems under ALEA) to monitor and record speed in work zones, including capturing rear license plate images
• Creates civil traffic citations for speeding over 10 mph in a work zone, to be issued to the vehicle owner, with a $250 penalty and a 60-day payment window; notices must include detailed violation information and evidence; criminal penalties and license points are not used
• Provides affirmative defenses for owners (e.g., lawful orders, emergency operation, stolen vehicle or plate, or incorrect ownership/operation information) and places the burden of proof on the owner to raise these defenses
• Establishes appeal processes: civil adjudication, and trial de novo in circuit court if appealed, with civil standards of proof and costs management
• Requires calibration of speed enforcement equipment annually by an independent lab, with a calibration certificate as proof
• Gives rules for operator training and certification of speed enforcement system operators, including vendor certifications and uniform procedures
• Specifies enforcement procedures and signage requirements in active work zones, including warning signs placed in advance of enforcement
• Distributes collected penalties: 50% to ALEA Public Safety Fund and 50% to the Public Road and Bridge Fund for road and bridge projects
• Allows procurement by the department/authority or its contractor, and permits emergency procurements and rules to govern use and placement of enforcement tools
• Requires interim reporting to the Legislature on implementation and effectiveness by certain dates and ties the pilot to ongoing safety evaluation

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 5, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles & Traffic