Senator Takes Aim At Red Light Cameras
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Brandes, a longtime critic of red-light cameras, is expected to propose tightening requirements on local governments that use the traffic devices.
Brandes filed amendments Monday to two bills that are expected to be heard Tuesday in the Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
The amendments, in part, would restrict how cities and counties can use money received from red-light camera citations. Under Brandes' proposed amendments, the money would have to go to traffic-safety initiatives.
The proposals also would require local governments to report detailed information each year about red-light cameras and would allow the state Department of Transportation to randomly inspect any red-light cameras to verify that they comply with state law.
Brandes will seek to add the amendments to SB 1554, which is a broad transportation bill, and SB 1184, which deals with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The amendment to SB 1184 would replace similar proposed red-light camera requirements that are already in the bill.
Meanwhile, the House Economic Affairs Committee is expected Tuesday to take up a bill (HB 7071), filed by Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, that also includes similar requirements. That bill has been approved by two House subcommittees and will be ready to go to the House floor if approved Tuesday.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
