Red Light Camera

Red Light Cameras are nothing more than a revenue generator for local Cities and County governments.
I support the full repeal of the Red Light Camera program.

The bill prohibits counties and municipalities from the further creation and enforcement of additional red light cameras, and revises related fines and distributions.

Specifically, the bill:

• Prohibits a county or municipality from installing and using red light cameras at any intersections that did not have an active red light camera system installed prior to July 1, 2014.
• Prohibits a county or municipality from enforcing red light camera violations at intersections that did not have an active red light camera system installed prior to July 1, 2014.

Red light camera citations carry a $158 fine. When the $158 fine is the result of a local government’s red light camera, $75 is retained by the local government and $83 is deposited with the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR). DOR subsequently distributes the fine by depositing $70 in the General Revenue Fund, $10 in the Department of Health Administrative Trust Fund, and $3 in the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund.

When the $158 fine is the result of the Department of Highway Safety’s (DHSMV) red light camera, $45 is retained by the local government and $113 is deposited with the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR). DOR subsequently distributes the fine by depositing $100 in the General Revenue Fund, $10 in the Department of Health Administrative Trust Fund, and $3 in the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund.

Regarding fines and distributions thereof, the bill:

• Reduces the $158 fine to $83;
• Removes the amount of the fine that is distributed to local governments ($75 DHSMV for camera fines; $45 for local camera fines);
• Reduces from $100 to $70 the amount of the fine that DOR deposits in General Revenue for DHSMV camera fines); and
• Reduces the local cost for a notice of violation from $250 to the current fine amount, which will be $83.

The bill also:

• Authorizes local governments to impose a surcharge for red light camera infractions at intersections with existing red light camera systems in order to fund existing red light camera contractual agreements;
  • Provides distribution requirements for the surcharge revenue;
  • Requires local governments to report quarterly to the Department of Revenue the amount of surcharge funds collected; and
  • Requires DOR to submit the report to the Legislature.