SB237 Summary

• Authorizes any Class 1 Alabama municipality to implement automated photographic enforcement systems for stop sign violations and speeding violations as civil (not criminal) violations.

• Establishes fines of up to $110 for stop sign violations and $110-$160 for speeding violations (doubled in school zones), with the first $10 of each fine paid to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.

• Requires municipalities to dedicate net revenue from fines to neighborhood revitalization efforts such as traffic calming, street resurfacing, demolition, sidewalks, and weed abatement.

• Provides vehicle owners with notice by mail, right to contest liability at an administrative hearing within 15 days, and ability to appeal to circuit court for trial de novo, with burden of proof on the municipality.

• Prohibits arrest or incarceration for nonpayment, prevents civil violations from appearing on criminal records, and allows owners held liable to pursue civil action against the actual vehicle operator for reimbursement of fines paid.