Press "Enter" to skip to content

Red light camera bill passed by committee

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee passed HB 1557, which would limit automated red light cameras to certain school zones, work zones, and safe zones, by a vote of 11-3.

Rep. Dave Hinson, R-St. Clair
Rep. Dave Hinson, R-St. Clair

The bill, sponsored by committee chair Rep. Dave Hinson, R-St. Clair, was amended from the version the committee heard last week. Changes included implementing the Missouri Department of Transportation’s standards for camera placement, guidelines that are currently voluntary but would be mandatory with the bill.

The bill also makes all tickets resulting from a photograph or video taken by a red light camera a pointless violation, like a parking ticket. Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis, expressed concerns about red light camera bills last week from a legal perspective. He supported the universal standard proposed in 1557.

“It takes the confusion away,” he said.

Reps. Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, Nick Marshall, R-Parkville, and Kenneth Wilson, R-Smithville voted against the bill.