All Roll Calls
Yes: 206 • No: 21
CaliforniaSB 7202025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Automated traffic enforcement system programs.
Sponsored By: Angelique Ashby (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Stronger privacy rules for camera footage
Cameras must aim to capture only the rear plate and proof of a violation, not faces. Photos, video, and related records are confidential and may be used only for authorized purposes. Footage that does not lead to a ticket must be destroyed within five business days. For issued cases, records are kept only briefly after a case ends (often up to 60 days, with some older programs allowing up to six months); some admin records may be kept up to 120 days, and citation status up to 3 years. Facial recognition on camera records is banned. The vehicle’s registered owner can review the evidence.
No pay‑per‑ticket; money to traffic calming
Vendors cannot be paid based on ticket counts or as a cut of revenue. Cities may not install cameras to make money beyond covering real operating costs. Camera revenue must first pay program costs. Each year, cities must keep at least their average traffic‑calming spending from fiscal years 2020–21 through 2022–23. Extra money must fund traffic‑calming projects within three years, or it goes to the state Active Transportation Program.
Public input, equity, and program reports
Starting January 1, 2026, cities must publish a public impact report at least 30 days before adopting a new camera program. The report must cover privacy, costs, where cameras go, and plans, and include local stakeholder input. Jurisdictions must report how many violations were captured, tickets issued, dismissals, movement types, and money raised. Suppliers must also file annual reports to the Judicial Council, including collision data if available. Cameras must be placed across different neighborhoods, and cities must explain how they met this equity rule.
Camera fines and help for low‑income drivers
Camera tickets are civil only and carry no DMV points. Fines are $100 for a first ticket, $200 for a second in three years, $350 for a third, and $500 for a fourth or more. The notice must be mailed within 15 days, and no extra processing fees are allowed beyond electronic payment fees. If you are indigent, the city cuts your fine by 80%, must offer community service instead of payment, and must allow payment plans with monthly payments no higher than $25 and a processing fee of $5 or less. If your income is up to 250% of the federal poverty level, your fine is cut by 50%.
Cities can run cameras under strict rules
The law lets cities and counties run red‑light and related camera programs, but only under tight rules. Only government agencies working with law enforcement can operate them. Intersections must have advance signs: one sign 200–300 feet before on roads 45 mph or slower, and two signs 200–500 feet before on faster roads. Yellow lights must meet state manual minimums and cannot be shortened after cameras go in. Agencies must pick sites using safety data, including streets with at least four separate illegal speed contests in the last two years. Cities must keep control of key tasks like site choice, calibration, yearly inspections, and sign upkeep, and cannot hand those control tasks to the camera vendor.
60-day warnings and clear ticket notices
Before tickets start, cities must give at least 30 days of public notice. New traffic‑signal camera programs must run a 60‑day warning‑only period. Some other automated programs must run a 30‑day warning‑only period. Each ticket notice must clearly show a rear‑plate photo, the law broken, the location, date and time, and a link to video evidence.
How to challenge a camera ticket
You can ask for a free review within 30 days of mailing. If you disagree, you can request a hearing, held within 90 days, by written statement, video, or in person. One continuance is allowed. If your ticket is dismissed, you get a refund. You may appeal to small claims or superior court within 30 days for a new review.
Court appeal filing fee is $25
Filing an appeal in superior court for listed automated‑enforcement and similar matters costs $25 per case. This $25 fee applies through January 1, 2032. On January 1, 2032, the 2023 update to the filing‑fee law takes effect. The $25 fee also applies to automated speed appeals listed in Vehicle Code §22445.3 only if this law and AB 289 are both in effect by January 1, 2026 and AB 289 passed first.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Angelique Ashby
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Gail Pellerin
Democratic • House
Buffy Wicks
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 9/13/2025
Item 130 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 33 • No: 3
House vote • 9/12/2025
Item 62 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 68 • No: 8
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 12 • No: 3
legislature vote • 7/16/2025
Vote in CX32
Yes: 13 • No: 2
legislature vote • 7/14/2025
Vote in CX22
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/3/2025
Item 69 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 31 • No: 3
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 4 • No: 2
legislature vote • 5/19/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 5 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/29/2025
Vote in CS53
Yes: 13 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/8/2025
Vote in CS59
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 782, Statutes of 2025.
10/13/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/13/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
9/23/2025legislatureAssembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 33. Noes 3. Page 3026.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
9/13/2025SenateIn Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
9/12/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 68. Noes 8. Page 3399.) Ordered to the Senate.
9/12/2025HouseOrdered to third reading.
9/4/2025HouseRead third time and amended.
9/4/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/3/2025HouseRead second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/2/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 3.) (August 29).
8/29/2025HouseAugust 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
8/20/2025HouseRead second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/17/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 2.) (July 16).
7/17/2025HouseAssembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 49. Noes 15. Page 2578.)
7/17/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (July 14). Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
7/15/2025HouseJuly 7 hearing postponed by committee.
7/2/2025HouseAssembly Rule 56 suspended.
6/27/2025HouseReferred to Coms. on TRANS. and P. & C.P.
6/9/2025HouseIn Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
6/4/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 31. Noes 3. Page 1445.) Ordered to the Assembly.
6/3/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/23/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 4. Noes 2. Page 1211.) (May 23).
5/23/2025SenateSet for hearing May 23.
5/20/2025SenateMay 19 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
5/19/2025Senate
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/13/2025
Enrolled
9/18/2025
Amended Assembly
9/4/2025
Amended Assembly
9/2/2025
Amended Assembly
7/17/2025
Amended Senate
5/1/2025
Amended Senate
3/26/2025
Introduced
2/21/2025