There are two problematic transportation bills advancing through the General Assembly – both would preempt local authority in the application of speed cameras and divert funding from localities to the state.
ACTION REQUIRED – Please contact your legislators today to oppose SB 1209 and HB 2041.
SB 1209 (Obenshain), as substituted, states that all civil penalties collected for the purposes of recording vehicle speed violations shall be paid to the Commonwealth Transportation Board to be used for the Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program (VHSIP). What this means, in practice, is that for counties who choose to administer a photo speed enforcement program, all funds generated will then be sent to the state.
SB 1209 passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee and was re-referred on a vote of 13-0-1 to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.
HB 2041 (Seibold) would require civil penalties collected from photo speed cameras, a mandate that preempts local authority, to be used solely for the operating costs of such speed safety cameras, and that any excess fund collected are to be annually deposited in the VHSIP.
HB 2041 reported out of subcommittee by a vote of 5-3 and will be heard by the House Transportation Committee.
KEY POINTS
- SB 1209 and HB 2041 preempt local authority in the application of speed camera enforcement.
- Keeping these funds at the local level empowers communities to invest in critical programs and infrastructure improvements that directly address their unique needs and priorities.
- VACo urges lawmakers to prioritize local control and flexibility to ensure that resources remain where they are needed most—within our communities
KEY CONTACTS
VACo Contact: James Hutzler