SB 238 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Coffee County, Town of Kinston, speeding enforcement, automated photo enforcement as civil violations, civil penalties, appeal procedures

This bill authorizes the Town of Kinston, Alabama, to use automated photographic systems for enforcing speed limits, affecting motorists driving within its corporate limits. Speeding violations detected by these cameras will be treated as civil violations, not criminal offenses, carrying a civil fine of up to $100 plus court costs. The vehicle owner is presumed liable for the civil fine, but the bill establishes procedures to contest liability and allows appeals to the Coffee County Circuit Court. The Town of Kinston must post signs at town entry points and near enforcement devices, and conduct a public awareness campaign before operating the systems.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Mar 18, 2025 Signed Apr 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Apr 22, 2025

MODERATE

The bill transitioned from an introduced draft to an enrolled, final version with several substantive policy additions. The most significant changes include clarifying the town's authority to adopt procedures, expanding the definition of 'owner' to exclude stolen vehicle owners, adding requirements for signage at town entry points, and clarifying the training requirements for technicians operating the automated enforcement system.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly authorize the Town of Kinston to adopt procedures via municipal ordinance and to require visible signage at town entry points to notify motorists about automated enforcement.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that the town must post signs at a minimum of five roadway entry points to notify motorists about automated speeding enforcement systems.

Added language clarifying that the town may adopt procedures through municipal ordinance, providing clearer legal authority for implementation.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'owner' to explicitly exclude the owner of stolen vehicles, designating the thief as the liable party instead.

Modified the definition of 'civil fine' to explicitly include municipal court costs associated with the infraction.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new training requirements for technicians, including an option for vendor training and a prohibition on tying technician compensation to the number of violations issued or fines collected.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 715

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Local Legislation)

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 447

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Local Legislation )

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors