NC H609

Establishes a pilot program authorizing the Department of Transportation to use electronic speed-measuring systems to detect speed violations on State-maintained highways in school zones, limited to no more than 25 school zones at any time.

Speed violations detected by electronic systems are noncriminal violations with a civil penalty of $250.00, with no points assigned to driver or insurance records; additional $125.00 penalty applies if owner fails to respond or pay within 30 days.

Registered vehicle owners receive notice by mail and have 30 days to pay the penalty or provide a sworn affidavit identifying the actual driver or reporting vehicle theft to law enforcement within 48 hours of violation.

Establishes the Civil Penalty Litigation Fund within the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund to receive 75% of collected penalties, allocated to local school administrative units on a per-pupil basis; remaining 25% goes to State Public School Fund.

Appropriates $100,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2023-2024 to implement the program; requires Secretary of Transportation to report to three legislative committees by May 1, 2024, and annually thereafter; act becomes effective October 1, 2023, and expires October 1, 2038.