SB545 Summary

• Authorizes incorporated municipalities in Jefferson County to adopt ordinances implementing automated traffic camera enforcement for red light violations and speeding violations as civil violations rather than criminal offenses.

• Vehicle owners are presumptively liable for violations captured by automated systems and must pay civil fines ($50-$150 for speeding depending on severity, maximum $100 for red light violations) but may contest liability through administrative adjudication in municipal court with appeals available to circuit court for trial de novo.

• Requires cities to mail violation notices within 30 days of violation, post warning signs at roadway entry points, and conduct 30-day public awareness campaigns before operating enforcement systems; violations cannot be recorded if operator was arrested or issued criminal citation simultaneously.

• Creates cause of action allowing vehicle owners held liable to recover civil fines paid plus damages and attorney fees from the actual vehicle operator through written demand process, with 60-day reimbursement period to extinguish the claim.

• Civil violation adjudications are non-criminal, not reported on driving or criminal records, not considered convictions, and not used by insurance companies except when accidents resulted from the violation.