HB441 Summary

• Authorizes each incorporated municipality in Jefferson County to adopt automated photographic traffic signal enforcement systems to detect and record red light violations as civil (not criminal) violations.

• Civil fine cap is $100 per violation plus court costs and a $10 fee to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center; late fees up to $25 may apply for unpaid fines.

• Vehicle owners receive notice by mail within 30 days of violation and may contest liability in municipal court; proceedings use preponderance of evidence standard with recorded images as admissible evidence via trained technician affidavits.

• Appeals from municipal court findings go to Jefferson County Circuit Court for trial de novo; civil violation records cannot be entered on criminal or driving records and shall not affect insurance rates unless accident occurred.

• Requires cities to post warning signs at roadway entries and intersections, conduct 30-day public awareness campaigns before operation, and report annual data to Alabama Department of Transportation and Criminal Justice Information Center; prohibits tampering with enforcement systems.