Call to action, Traffic scamera vote in public safety committee Tues 2-9
“The Show” blog gives below some important information on the upcoming vote on revenue cameras used by cities in Tennessee.
The vote is set to take place after the Transportation committee (they start at 3:30pm Nashville time).
HB 3024
Here are the subcommittee members.
Committee Officers
* Vince Dean, Chair
Phone (615) 741-1934
Fax (615) 253-0271
rep.vince.dean@capitol.tn.gov* Tony Shipley, Vice-Chair
Phone: (615) 741-2886
rep.tony.shipley@capitol.tn.gov
Facebook pageMembers
Ty Cobb
Phone: (615) 741-3005
rep.ty.cobb@capitol.tn.gov
Facebook page* Chad Faulkner
Phone: (615) 741-3335
rep.chad.faulkner@capitol.tn.gov
Facebook page* Pat Marsh
Phone (615) 741-6824
Fax (615) 253-0344
rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.go* Ben West
Phone (615) 741-6959
Fax (615) 253-0331
rep.ben.west@capitol.tn.gov
Here is the bill
*HB 3024 by *Harmon, McCord, Tidwell, West. (SB 2918 by *Burchett.)
Traffic Safety – As introduced, directs the comptroller to study traffic surveillance cameras, places a two-year moratorium on new cameras, and revises fines from traffic violations captured by such cameras. – Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 8, Part 1.
Fiscal Summary
Not Available
Bill Summary
Present law requires that any state agency or political subdivision of the state that installs, owns, operates or maintains a traffic-control signal light located in an intersection that employs a surveillance camera for the enforcement or monitoring of traffic violations must ensure that:
(1) The surveillance camera does not identify as a violation of the “stop on red” requirement of the rules of the road any vehicle that legally entered the intersection during the green or yellow intervals; and
(2) Appropriate signage is located not less than 500 feet but not more than 1,000 feet in advance of the intersection informing drivers as to the presence of surveillance cameras at the approaching intersection.A traffic citation that is based solely upon evidence obtained from a surveillance camera that has been installed to enforce or monitor traffic violations is considered a nonmoving traffic violation. If the state agency or political division of the state violates (1), as described above, then any traffic citation based solely on evidence generated by the surveillance camera is deemed to be invalid.
Present law prohibits the placement of any surveillance cameras on federal interstate highways, except for Smart Way cameras, other intelligent transportation system cameras or, when workers are present, surveillance cameras used to enforce or monitor traffic violations within work zones designated by the department of transportation; provided, that the cameras must be operated only by a state entity.
This bill requires the comptroller to conduct a comprehensive study of the use of traffic surveillance cameras by government agencies in Tennessee and to provide a copy of such study to the transportation committee of each chamber by January 15, 2011.
Beginning January 1, 2011, this bill prohibits any local government from placing or operating a surveillance camera used to enforce traffic safety on any highway receiving state financial aid unless:
(1) The local governing body exhausts all reasonable engineering solutions pursuant to department of transportation standards to enhance traffic safety; and
(2) Any contract for the operation of such surveillance camera by a private vendor provides only for payment for services rendered, and no payment is based on a percentage of traffic citations generated by such surveillance camera.This bill prohibits any local or county government from entering or renewing any contract with a private vendor for the operation of any surveillance camera used to enforce traffic safety until July 1, 2012, except that such prohibition will not apply to the portion of the roadway between blocks 2900 through 3200 of Hixson Pike in Hamilton County. Any contract entered into or renewed after July 1, 2012, must comply with the following:
(1) Rules promulgated by the department of transportation that prescribe traffic and engineering studies be conducted before the installation of a traffic violation surveillance camera;
(2) Rules promulgated by the department of safety that prescribe traffic safety considerations be addressed before the installation of a traffic violation surveillance camera; and
(3) Guidelines established by the comptroller for local government contracts with private vendors for installation and use of traffic surveillance traffic cameras.This bill requires that the departments of transportation and safety consult with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association before filing rules pursuant to this bill with the secretary of state. This bill also requires that any local governmental entity seeking to install or operate traffic surveillance traffic cameras must, by majority vote, request that the comptroller verify that such local governmental entity has met all the requirements of the rules promulgated by the departments prior to the installation or operation of traffic surveillance cameras. A local governmental entity must vote to approve the installation or operation of traffic surveillance cameras after receipt of notice by the comptroller of compliance with the rules. Any rules promulgated pursuant to this bill must be presented to the transportation committees of each chamber for review and comment before being considered by the government operations committees of each chamber.
This bill requires that each local governing body that contracts for placement or operation a traffic surveillance camera on any highway receiving state financial aid on or after July 1, 2012, must submit the contract to the comptroller. This bill authorizes the comptroller to conduct compliance audits of any local governing body that has placed or is operating a traffic surveillance camera.
This bill sets the penalty for a person charged by a traffic citation that is based solely upon evidence obtained from a surveillance camera as follows:
(1) For a first offense by a fine of $10.00 only;
(2) For a second offense by a fine of $25.00 only; and
(3) For a third or subsequent offense by a fine of $50.00 only.A person will not be considered a multiple offender under this bill if three years have passed since the prior violation. This bill also limits the court costs in any such case to $10.00 and prohibits the assessment of litigation taxes against any person who pays the ticket on time.
This bill adds to present law by requiring that the law enforcement employee who reviews video evidence from a traffic light signal monitoring system and makes a determination as to whether a violation has occurred must be certified by the peace officer standards and training commission.
Senator John McCain visited the Tri-Cities today to present his message to Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee citizens. There was a large crowd and it was estimated that there were approximately 10,000 supporters in attendance..
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