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2024 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 302
BY SENATOR CATHEY
TRAFFIC. Prohibits issuing traffic violation citations in certain circumstances. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 32:365(B) and to enact R.S. 32:46, 47, and 48, relative to issuing
3 traffic violation citations in certain circumstances; to prohibit certain agencies from
4 using automated speed enforcement devices or other similar devices to issue citations
5 by mail; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 32:365(B) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.32:46, 47, and
8 48 are hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 §46. Electronic enforcement devices; school zone
10 A. For the purposes of this Section "electronic enforcement devices"
11 shall mean automated speed enforcement devices, red light traffic cameras, and
12 mobile speed cameras used for the purpose of regulating and enforcing traffic
13 violations in which citations are issued by mail.
14 B. Local municipal authorities and local parish authorities shall only
15 operate electronic enforcement devices in a school zone during school days, one
16 hour before and one hour after the beginning or ending of a school day and
17 when children are in school.
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1 C.(1) Revenue generated as a result of electronic enforcement devices in
2 school zones shall be divided between the governing authority of the school
3 where the traffic citation was issued and the municipality.
4 (2) A cooperative endeavor agreement executed by the municipality and
5 each governing authority of the schools located within the municipality's
6 boundaries shall be in place prior to implementation of automated speed
7 enforcement devices and mobile speed cameras.
8 §47. Use of hand-held speed recording devices; restrictions
9 A. Automated speed enforcement devices or mobile speed cameras
10 pursuant to R.S. 32:43 and R.S. 32:45 that are handheld or manned, and issue
11 a citation of an alleged violation by mail, shall only be used by local municipal
12 authorities or local parish authorities in the following instances:
13 (1) The device or camera is being operated by a trained member of law
14 or traffic enforcement that are post certified. Deputized agents, contractors,
15 subcontractors of an agency, office, local municipality, local authority, or any
16 political subdivision of this state are strictly prohibited from operating
17 handheld or manned devices for the purpose of issuing a citation violation by
18 mail.
19 (2) The device or camera is not within one half mile of a speed limit
20 change in an amount greater than ten miles per hour. This provision shall not
21 apply to school zones.
22 (3) There are signs indicating a device or camera is present, no less than
23 five hundred feet and no more than one thousand feet before the device or
24 camera, in a manner as to be clearly visible to approaching traffic.
25 (4)(a) If a device or camera is used while in an authorized vehicle, the
26 authorized vehicle shall be clearly marked, as a law enforcement vehicle.
27 (b) If a device or camera is used by a traffic or law enforcement officer
28 while not in a vehicle, the officer shall wear a reflective vest, clearly indicating
29 he is law enforcement or that he is conducting speed enforcement measures.
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1 B. Criminal fines or fees shall not be imposed as a result of handheld or
2 manned devices for the purpose of issuing a citation violation by mail, nor shall
3 failure to pay the citation result in reporting to any or some credit bureaus.
4 §48. Violations; administrative hearing
5 A. Each local municipal authority or local parish authority that installs
6 or utilizes automated speed enforcement devices, red light cameras, or mobile
7 speed cameras, in which a citation is issued by mail shall establish an
8 administrative hearing process for motorist to appeal receipt of the citation
9 violation.
10 B. The administrative process shall include, at a minimum, the following:
11 (1) A written citation with a detailed description of the alleged violation.
12 (2) Ability to request an administrative hearing before a traffic
13 adjudication hearing officer appointed by the local governing authority. The
14 traffic adjudication hearing officer shall be an independent, third party who
15 was not a participant in issuance of the violation.
16 (3) Clear notice with a minimum of fifteen days to respond.
17 (4) It shall be an affirmative defense to the imposition of civil liability
18 pursuant to this Subpart when:
19 (a) The traffic-control signal was not in proper position and sufficiently
20 legible to an ordinarily observant person.
21 (b) The operator of the vehicle was acting in compliance with the lawful
22 order or direction of a law enforcement or public safety officer.
23 (c) The operator of the vehicle violated the instructions of the traffic-
24 control signal so as to yield the right-of-way to an immediately approaching
25 authorized emergency vehicle.
26 (d) The vehicle was being operated as an authorized emergency vehicle
27 under R.S. 32:24, and the operator was acting in compliance with R.S. 32:24.
28 (e) At the time of the violation, the vehicle was in the care, custody or
29 control of another person where the owner furnishes a truthful affidavit which
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1 identifies the name and mailing address of the person or entity who leased,
2 rented or otherwise had the care, custody, and control of the vehicle at the time
3 of the violation. Responsibility for the violation under this Subpart shall be
4 transferred to the person identified in the affidavit.
5 (f) The presence of ice, snow, unusual amounts of rain, or other
6 unusually hazardous road conditions existed that would make compliance with
7 this Subpart more dangerous under the circumstances than noncompliance.
8 (g) The person who received the notice of violation was not the owner of
9 the vehicle at the time of the violation.
10 (h) At the time of the violation the vehicle was a stolen vehicle or the
11 license plate displayed on the vehicle was a stolen plate, which must include
12 proof acceptable to the hearing officer that the theft of the vehicle or license
13 plate had been timely reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
14 (5) The hearing officer at any administrative adjudication hearing under
15 this Subpart shall issue an order clearly stating the decision rendered.
16 (6)Ability to seek petition for judicial review within thirty days of an
17 adverse decision rendered by the hearing officer.
18 (7) The issuance of a citation under this Subpart shall not be considered
19 a criminal conviction.
20 (8) A civil penalty may not be imposed under this Subpart on the owner
21 of a vehicle if the operator of the vehicle was arrested or was issued a citation
22 and notice to appear by a law or public safety officer as a violation of R.S.
23 32:232 if the violation was captured by the system.
24 * * *
25 §365. Television
26 * * *
27 B.(1) Law enforcement officers of the state or any political subdivision
28 thereof shall be authorized to operate video recording equipment and monitors in
29 their law enforcement vehicles while in the performance of their duties. However,
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1 this provision shall not be construed to allow law enforcement officers to record
2 vehicles in violation of traffic safety laws with citations for such violations to be
3 mailed to the alleged violator at a later date.
4 (2) Agents, contractors, or subcontractors of an agency, office, local
5 municipality, local authority, or any political subdivision of this state with the
6 authority to enforce traffic regulations shall be strictly prohibited from using
7 video recording equipment and monitors while in the performance of their
8 duties for the purpose of monitoring, recording, and issuing a traffic citation by
9 mail.
10 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
11 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
12 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
13 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
14 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Archana D. Cadge.
DIGEST
SB 302 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Cathey
Present law provides law enforcement officers of the state or any political subdivision may
operate video recording equipment and monitors in their law enforcement vehicles while in
the performance of their duties. Present law further provides law enforcement are prohibited
from recording vehicles in violation of traffic safety laws with citations for such violations
to be mailed to the alleged violator at a later date. Proposed law clarifies present law to
specify officers shall not record vehicles in violation of traffic safety laws and mail citations
at a later date.
Proposed law provides for definitions for electronic enforcement device relative to local
municipal authorities and local parish authorities.
Proposed law prohibits use of handheld or manned devices in school zones for the purpose
of issuing a citation by mail except during certain hours before and after school on days
children are in school. Proposed law further provides revenue generated as a result of
handheld and manned devices used in school is divided with the applicable school district.
Proposed law provides for strict requirements on when handheld or manned, automated
speed enforcement devices or mobile speed cameras may be used by local municipal
authorities or local parish authorities.
Proposed law provides the use of handheld or manned devices for the purpose of issuing a
citation violation by mail will not result in a criminal penalty or fine. Proposed law further
provides failing to pay the citation can not result in criminal fines or fees and cannot be
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reported to credit bureaus.
Proposed law provides that each local municipal authority or local parish authority utilizes
automated speed enforcement devices, red light cameras, or mobile speed cameras, which
a citation is issued by mail establish an administrative hearing process for motorist to appeal
the citation violation.
Proposed law provides for minimum requirements for the administrative appeal hearing for
local municipal authorities and local parish authorities to establish for the use of automated
speed enforcement devices, red light cameras, or mobile speed cameras.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 32:365(B); adds R.S. 32:46, 47, and 48)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Transportation,
Highways, and Public Works to the original bill
1. Removes changes to present law regulations on automated speed
enforcement devices and mobile speed cameras.
2. Adds requirements for electronic enforcement devices in school zones.
3. Adds restrictions for use of handheld or manned devices.
4. Adds a process for administrative hearings.
5. Makes technical changes.
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