An Act Concerning Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices.
Summary
HB 7058 requires the Commissioner of Transportation to develop a plan to expand the use of speed safety cameras on state highways. In preparing that plan, the commissioner must consider federal guidance from the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and must submit the plan and any recommended legislation to the Transportation Committee by February 1, 2026.
The bill also revises the existing statute governing municipal automated traffic enforcement safety devices. It authorizes local ordinances to impose civil fines on vehicle owners for violations, sets the maximum fine at $50 for a first violation and $75 for a second or subsequent violation within one year, and allows a processing fee of up to $15 for electronic payment costs. It further directs that revenue from these fines be used for transportation mobility, transportation infrastructure improvements, or costs associated with the automated enforcement program, including vendor expenses for design, installation, operation, or maintenance.
Impact
The bill would not immediately create a statewide camera program, but it would require the Department of Transportation to produce a formal expansion plan and legislative recommendations, potentially laying the groundwork for broader use of speed safety cameras on state highways. It also amends section 14-307c(d) of the general statutes to clarify and limit municipal authority over automated traffic enforcement fines and to specify how fine revenue may be spent. Municipalities using these devices would be constrained by the new fine caps and revenue-use restrictions, while vendors and local transportation programs could benefit from dedicated funding streams.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests the bill was generally supported in committee, passing the Transportation Committee on a 30-5 joint favorable substitute vote. That margin indicates substantial bipartisan or cross-faction support for advancing the measure, even though the recorded materials do not include transcript debate. Overall, the bill appears to have been treated as a serious policy step toward expanding automated traffic enforcement rather than a purely symbolic proposal.
Contention
The main points of contention likely center on the expansion of speed cameras on state highways and the use of automated enforcement more broadly. Supporters appear to favor using cameras to improve safety and to fund transportation-related improvements, while opponents may be concerned about privacy, fairness, enforcement practices, and the potential for municipalities or vendors to rely on citation revenue. The narrow minority of no votes in committee suggests some resistance, but the specific objections are not documented in the provided materials.