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AlabamaHB6392026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Alan Baker (Republican)

Enacted

Escambia County

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Drivers gain protections from camera fines

You cannot be arrested or jailed for failing to pay a civil fine or late fee under this law. A ruling cannot appear on your criminal or driving record, count as a conviction or moving violation, or increase punishment. Insurers cannot use the ruling to change your rates unless the violation caused an accident. At a hearing, the municipality must show that liability is more likely than not. Certified technician statements, notices with certified images, and trustworthy ownership records are allowed as evidence. System images and evidence can be used only as the law allows. The municipality must notify you of the hearing date after a timely request. Defenses include following police orders, driving an authorized emergency vehicle, stolen plates, or not owning the vehicle when it happened. Vehicle theft or misidentification defenses require a timely police report. If you missed the payment or contest deadline, you can seek a hearing within 15 days after actual receipt. You must file a sworn statement giving the actual receipt date. You can appeal a liability ruling to Escambia County Circuit Court within 14 days after the municipal court decision. Filing an appeal pauses fine enforcement. The circuit court hears the case anew under civil standards, and the municipality must provide counsel as the law specifies.

Fine payers can seek repayment from drivers

If you were found liable and paid a fine, you can sue the person shown to have driven the vehicle. You can seek the fine paid, related damages, and reasonable attorney fees. First, you must send a written demand allowing at least 60 days for repayment. Full repayment during that period ends the claim. You must file suit within two years after paying the fine. The actual driver can therefore face repayment, damages, and attorney fees.

Escambia County drivers face camera speeding fines

Municipalities wholly or partly in Escambia County can adopt ordinances allowing camera speeding enforcement within their limits. Enforcement is limited to reduced-speed school zones and construction zones. The systems pair a manually operated camera with an electronic speed detector. Officers trained by the system vendor serve as technicians. Vehicle owners can face civil fines up to $195, plus municipal speeding court costs. An ordinance can also allow late fees up to $25. At least $10 from each fine must fund school resource officers, school safety plans, or zone-related safety programs. Of court costs collected, $25 per matter goes to the State General Fund. Remaining fines and costs are distributed under the ordinance and law. Municipalities must post signs at three or more roadway entrances and within 50 yards of each monitored zone. They must run a public awareness campaign at least 30 days before enforcement starts. Before imposing a fine, they must send owners certified mail, with return receipt requested, within 30 days after the violation. The notice must include the violation details, images, fine, payment deadline, contest instructions, and warnings about failing to respond. Receipt is presumed on day 10 after mailing. Payment is due within 40 days after mailing unless the owner timely contests. A written hearing request is due within 25 days after mailing. Failure to pay or contest counts as admitting liability and can trigger a late fee. A warning can replace a violation notice. No notice is allowed when the plate image is too unclear to identify the plate. Civil enforcement is barred when an officer arrested or cited the driver for criminal speeding in the same incident. Municipal courts decide these cases. People found liable, or who request a hearing but miss it, owe court costs and fees plus the fine. Payment is due within 10 days after the hearing. Courts cannot change the fixed fine amount and can file the order as a judicial lien. Only payment satisfies liability. Municipalities must keep notice statistics and report them annually to the Alabama Department of Transportation. The provided text places the effective date in October but does not specify the day or year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Alan Baker

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Matthew Hammett

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 133 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1154

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1124

Yes: 14 • No: 0 • Other: 90

House vote • 4/1/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 55

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/15/2026House

  2. Third Reading in Second House

    4/7/2026Senate

  3. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1154

    4/7/2026Senate

  4. Ready to Enroll

    4/7/2026House

  5. Enrolled

    4/7/2026House

  6. Signature Requested

    4/7/2026Senate

  7. Delivered to Governor

    4/7/2026House

  8. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    4/2/2026Senate

  9. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    4/2/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading in House of Origin

    4/1/2026House

  11. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1124

    4/1/2026House

  12. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Local Legislation

    4/1/2026Senate

  13. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    4/1/2026Senate

  14. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    3/31/2026House

  15. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/31/2026House

  16. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Local Legislation

    3/19/2026House

  17. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    3/19/2026House

Bill Text

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