5/23/08-A bill has died that sought to put restrictions on cities’ use of automated cameras to ticket drivers.
The cameras snap pictures of red-light runners’ or speeders’ vehicles. A ticket is mailed to the vehicles’ owners, regardless who was driving at the time.
Sponsored by Rep. Dr. Charles Portwood, R-Ballwin, HB1376 remained in the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee when the regular session ended.
The bill would have required municipalities to handle photo enforcement in a uniform manner.
To help guard against using the technology as a revenue enhancer, signs would have been required to be posted within 500 feet of intersections with cameras. All photo-enforcement systems would have needed to be registered with the state.
Cities using the technology would have been required to annually report information to the state, including the number of citations and total revenue collected.
The bill also would have mandated participating cities to pay a $500 fee for each light. The revenue would have been used to pay for future audits.
The combined fines and court costs would have been limited to $100.

2/22/08-A bill in the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee would put restrictions on cities’ use of automated cameras to ticket drivers.
The cameras snap pictures of red-light runners’ or speeders’ vehicles. A ticket is mailed to the vehicles’ owners, regardless who was driving at the time.
Sponsored by Rep. Dr. Charles Portwood, R-Ballwin, HB1376 would require municipalities to handle photo enforcement in a uniform manner.
To help guard against using the technology as a revenue enhancer, signs would be required to be posted within 500 feet of intersections with cameras. All photo-enforcement systems would need to be registered with the state.
Cities using the technology would be required to annually report information to the state, including the number of citations and total revenue collected.
The bill also would mandate participating cities to pay a $500 fee for each light. The revenue would be used to pay for future audits.
The combined fines and court costs would be limited to $100.
For bill status, call (573) 751-4633. In Missouri, call 1-800-877-5982.

1/14/08-Rep. Dr. Charles Portwood, R-Ballwin, has introduced a bill that would put restrictions on cities’ use of automated cameras to ticket drivers.
The cameras snap pictures of red-light runners’ or speeders’ vehicles. A ticket is mailed to the vehicles’ owners, regardless who was driving at the time.
HB1376 would require photo enforcement to be handled in a uniform manner among municipalities.
To help guard against using the technology as a revenue enhancer, signs would be required to be posted within 500 feet of intersections. All photo-enforcement systems would need to be registered with the state.
Cities using the technology would be required to annually report information to the state, including the number of citations and total revenue collected.
The bill also would mandate participating cities to pay a $500 fee for each light. The revenue would be used to pay for future audits.
The combined fines and court costs would be limited to $100.
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee.
For bill status, call (573) 751-4633. In Missouri, call 1-800-877-5982.