House Bill 639 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan BakerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

HB639 would let Escambia County municipalities run automated speeding cameras in designated zones and handle civil fines from those violations.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes municipalities in Escambia County to operate a system that detects speeding in zones, issues civil notices by mail, and prosecutes civil violations in local courts. Fines are capped at $195, with at least $10 of each fine going to funding for school resource officers, school safety plans, or zone safety programs. It sets requirements for signs, public notices before use, notice-by-mail procedures, payment and contest processes, and clarifies that fines are civil (not criminal) and may not appear on a driving record; it also outlines appeal options and data reporting.

Who It Affects

• Motorists speeding in designated Escambia County zones, who may receive civil notices, pay fines up to $195, or contest adjudication (without those fines becoming a criminal conviction).
• Escambia County municipalities and their residents, who may adopt ordinances to operate the system, post required notices, collect civil fines, and prosecute civil violations.
• Municipal courts and the Escambia County Circuit Court, which would handle adjudicative hearings, appeals (de novo), and related costs and procedures.
• Schools and safety programs funded by fines, which would receive at least $10 from each civil fine to support resources officers and safety initiatives.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes Escambia County municipalities to operate automated speeding enforcement within zones and issue civil violations by mail.
• Civil fines may not exceed $195; at least $10 of each fine must be allocated to funding school resource officers, school safety plans, or safety programs in zones.
• Requires signs at three highway entry points, a public announcement 30 days before use, and warning signs within 50 yards of each zone.
• Before imposing a civil fine, municipalities must mail a notice of violation by certified mail within 30 days of the recorded violation, detailing the violation, images, amount, payment deadline, and rights to contest; receipt is presumed 10 days after mailing; fines due within 40 days.
• Allows administrative adjudication hearings in municipal court; the municipality must prove speeding by a preponderance of the evidence; trained technician affidavits and recorded images are admissible; failure to pay or contest is an admission of liability.
• Permits appeals to the Escambia County Circuit Court on a de novo basis with trial de novo; outlines costs and procedures similar to criminal appeals in circuit court; the municipality must provide legal representation for circuit court proceedings.
• Notable protections: civil adjudications are not criminal convictions and may not be listed on driving records; late fees up to $25 may be added; no arrest or incarceration for nonpayment.
• Requires annual data reporting on notices issued to the Department of Transportation; fines are not imposed if the operator is tied to a simultaneous criminal violation; provides a right of reimbursement against other operators in certain circumstances with a two-year limitation period.
• Effective date is October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Escambia County