HB575 Summary: Phenix City Red Light Safety Act

• Authorizes the City of Phenix City to use automated photographic traffic signal enforcement systems to detect and record red light violations as civil (non-criminal) violations.

• Vehicle owners are presumptively liable for civil violations and can be fined up to $100 plus a $10 record-keeping fee, with court costs assessed only in contested cases; violations cannot result in criminal penalties or jail time.

• Requires the city to mail violation notices within 30 days, post warning signs at a minimum of five entry points and at each monitored intersection, and conduct a 30-day public awareness campaign before operating the system.

• Establishes the Phenix City Municipal Court as the hearing authority with burden of proof on the city by preponderance of evidence; allows appeals to Russell County Circuit Court for trial de novo within 14 days of the municipal court decision.

• Provides affirmative defenses including faulty traffic signals, police officer direction, emergency vehicles, stolen vehicles or plates, hazardous road conditions, and non-ownership at time of violation; prohibits civil adjudications from being reported on criminal or driving records or used by insurance companies.