Earlier this week, HB 2477 (photo radar on state highways), sponsored by State Representative Debbie Lesko (R-Dist. 21), was signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer. The bill received support in both chambers of the Arizona Legislature.
The key provisions of the bill, as signed by Governor Brewer, state that the new law will prohibit a city or town from placing photo enforcement systems on a state highway, unless it can be proven necessary for public safety and the city or town gets a permit or enters into a contract with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
The law will require ADOT to publish, on its website, the specific information it needs to determine if the photo enforcement system is necessary for public safety.
The permit issued or contract granted by ADOT may not exceed three years.
Cities and towns will be required to submit information to ADOT to show the impact of the photo enforcement system before the renewal of a permit or contract.
ADOT will be allowed to prevent renewal if the department determines that the photo enforcement system does not maintain a positive impact on public safety.
However, the law does not apply to photo enforcement systems currently in existence on the effective date of this act, except when the permit or contract with ADOT expires or is renewed.
Citing the need for this crucial legislation, Representative Lesko stated, “This bill prevents municipalities from utilizing photo radar enforcement systems purely based on a desire to generate revenue. It also provides them with some measurable standards with which they can justify the safety based needs to use photo radar enforcement on state highways. I am happy that my legislative colleagues and Governor Brewer saw the obvious safety benefits this legislation will have for our rural and urban communities when considering the utilization of photo radar systems.”