NASHVILLE - Senate Transportation Committee members today blew the whistle on the House's effort to restrict government's use of red-light and speed enforcement cameras.
The committee effectively killed the bill by shuttling it off for summer study.
The bill, sponsored by House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, requires cities to conduct traffic engineering studies prior to placing cameras. It also prohibits cities from charging more than the current $50 fine for traffic scofflaws who don't pay their fines on time, which cities say encourages violators not to pay anything.
The bill was opposed by cities and traffic camera vendors.
Senators complained today that they knew little about the legislation, which had been formulated by the House Transportation Committee following a series of House hearings.
"I just know what I read in the paper," complained Sen. Tim Barnes, D-Adams. "This Senate committee is asked to vote on this after we've not participated in any study."
He made a motion calling for a Senate-House study committee, which the committee quickly approved.
The House bill, has been delayed in the House Budget Subcommittee, pending action on the budget.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.