--- title: SB 75. Speed Detection Devices and Red Light Cameras; standards for signs warning of a reduced speed limit in a school zone and signs warning of the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices; provide collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sb75 cite_as: SB 75, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb75 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb75.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb75/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69806 date: 2026-01-12 status: introduced corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb74.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb76.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 254 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb75.md?full=1 bill_number: SB 75 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: bill status_date: 2025-02-03 last_action: Senate Recommitted sponsors: - Max Burns - John Albers - Ricky Williams - Harold Jones - Colton Moore - Steve Gooch - Chuck Payne - Carden Summers - Billy Hickman - Josh McLaurin - Marty Harbin - Nabilah Islam Parkes - Michael Rhett - Jason Esteves - Lee Anderson - Kay Kirkpatrick - Brian Strickland - Shawn Still - Derek Mallow - Chuck Hufstetler - Ben Watson - Frank Ginn - Clint Dixon - Sam Watson text_version: Comm Sub has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB75/2025 upstream_id: 1952944 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - school zone speed cameras - traffic enforcement - speed limits - road signage - local prosecutors --- # SB 75. Speed Detection Devices and Red Light Cameras; standards for signs warning of a reduced speed limit in a school zone and signs warning of the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices; provide ## Text 25 LC 39 4713S The Senate Committee on Public Safety offered the following substitute to SB 75: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 14 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to use1 of speed detection devices and red light cameras, so as to prov ide for standards for signs2 warning of the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices; to require the use of a3 sign or device which depicts an accurate representation of a ve hicle's speed upon the4 approach of an automated traffic enforcement safety device; to revise exceptions for when5 a case may be made with the use of a speed detection device; to provide for times when a6 school zone speed limit may be enforced through the use of an automated traffic enforcement7 safety device; to provide for definitions; to amend Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia8 Annotated, relating to courts, so as to authorize district atto rneys, solicitors-general, and9 prosecuting attorneys to enforce civil monetary penalties relative to the enforcement of laws10 regarding speeding in a school zone using recorded images; to provide for related matters;11 to provide for effective dates and applicability; to repeal con flicting laws; and for other12 purposes.13 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:14 - 1 - 25 LC 39 4713S SECTION 1.15 Chapter 14 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotate d, relating to use of speed16 detection devices and red light cameras, is amended in Code Section 40-14-1.1, relating to17 definitions, by revising paragraph (5) and adding a new paragraph to read as follows:18 "(5) 'School zone' means the area within 1,000 feet of the boun dary of defined in an19 existing master state order of the Department of Transportation and the Department of20 Public Safety or local ordinance as a school zone area for any public or private21 elementary or secondary school.22 (6) 'School zone speed limit' means the speed limit set for a school zone in the approved23 list of roads and master state order of the Department of Trans portation and the24 Department of Public Safety; provided, however, that such speed limit shall not vary for25 a period that exceeds one hour more than twice a day."26 SECTION 2.27 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-14-6, relating to warning signs required28 and signage requirements, by revising subsection (c) as follows:29 "(c) In addition to the signs required under subsections (a) an d (b) of this Code section,30 each law enforcement agency using an automated traffic enforcem ent safety device as31 provided for in Code Section 40-14-18 shall erect signs which d isplay the school zone32 speed limit and signs warning of the use of a stationary speed detection an automated33 traffic enforcement safety device within the approaching such school zone. Such signs34 shall be at least 24 by 30 inches in area, shall be visible plainly from every lane of traffic,35 shall be viewable in all traffic conditions, and shall not be placed in such a manner that the36 view of such sign is subject to being obstructed by any other v ehicle on such highway. 37 Such signs shall be placed within 500 feet prior to the warning sign announcing the38 reduction of the speed limit for the school speed zone. Such signs which display the school39 zone speed limit and warning of the use of an automated traffic enforcement safety device40 - 2 - 25 LC 39 4713S shall be placed upon every highway which leads to a school zone at a location one-half41 mile from the start of the school zone and at any junction which intersects upon a highway42 leading to a school between the school and such one-half mile location; provided, however,43 that, when such one-half mile location is outside of the jurisdictional boundaries of a law44 enforcement agency or such highway has a length of less than on e-half mile from the45 school zone, such signs shall be placed at the jurisdictional b oundary of the law46 enforcement agency or at a location as close to such one-half mile location as practicable. 47 A sign or device which provides an accurate depiction of the sp eed of an approaching48 motor vehicle shall be placed upon a sign warning of the use of an automated traffic49 enforcement safety device or as a stand-alone sign between such warning signs and the50 outermost boundary of a school z one. Additional si gns which di splay the school zone51 speed limit and which include lights which flash yellow in acco rdance with rules and52 regulations of the Department of Transportation while the schoo l zone speed limit is in53 effect and when the automated traffic enforcement safety device is authorized to issue54 citations pursuant to Code Section 40-14-18 shall be placed at the outermost boundary of55 a school zone. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that such signs are p roperly56 installed pursuant to this subsection at the time of any alleged violation under this article."57 SECTION 3.58 Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 40-14-8, relating to when case may59 be made and conviction had, as follows:60 "40-14-8.61 (a) No county, city, or campus officer shall be allowed to make a case based on the use of62 any speed detection device, unless the speed of the vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit63 by more than ten miles per hour and no conviction shall be had thereon unless such speed64 is more than ten miles per hour above the posted speed limit.65 - 3 - 25 LC 39 4713S (b) The limitations contained in subsection (a) of this Code s ection relating to speed in66 excess of ten miles per hour above the posted speed limit shall not apply in properly67 marked school zones one hour before, during, and one hour after the normal hours of68 school operation or programs for care and supervision of studen ts before school, after69 school, or during vacation periods as provided for under Code Section 20-2-65, in properly:70 (1) School zones properly marked with signs which display the school zone speed limit,71 when the school zone speed limit is in effect, and when a speed detection device used was72 one other than an automated traffic enforcement safety device a nd was operated by an73 on-site law enforcement officer;74 (2) Properly marked historic districts, and in properly; and75 (3) Properly marked residential zones.76 (c) For purposes of this chapter, thoroughfares with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or77 more shall not be considered residential districts zones. As used in For purposes of this78 Code section, the term 'historic district' means a historic district as defined in paragraph (5)79 of Code Section 44-10-22 and which is listed on the Georgia Regis ter of Historic Places80 or as defined by ordinance adopted pursuant to a local constitutional amendment."81 SECTION 4.82 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-14-18, relating to enforcement of speed83 limit in school zones with recorded images, civil monetary pena lty, and consequences for84 failure to pay penalty, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (a) as follows:85 "(a)(1) The speed limit within any school zone as provided for in Code Section 40-14-886 and marked pursuant to Code Section 40-14-6 may be enforced by using photographically87 recorded images for violations which are in excess of ten miles per hour above the posted88 school zone speed limit at the time of the offense and which occur when the school zone89 speed limit is in effect occurred only on a school day during the time in which90 instructional classes are taking place and one hour before such classes are scheduled to91 - 4 - 25 LC 39 4713S begin and for one hour after such classes have concluded when s uch violations are in92 excess of ten miles per hour over the speed limit."93 SECTION 5.94 Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, is amended in Code95 Section 15-9-155, relating to prosecuting attorney's duties and authority in probate courts in96 counties in which there are no state courts, by revising subparagraph (a)(1)(A) as follows:97 "(A) In the prosecution of any violation of the laws or ordinances of such county which98 is within the jurisdiction of such probate court and punishable by confinement or a fine99 or both or by a civil penalty authorized by Code Section 40-6-163 or 40-14-18;"100 SECTION 6.101 Said title is further amended in Code Section 15-18-6, relating to duties of district attorney,102 by revising paragraph (6) as follows:103 "(6) To prosecute civil actions to enforce any civil penalty se t forth in Code Section104 40-6-163 or 40-14-18 and to prosecute or defend any other civil action in the prosecution105 or defense of which the state is interested, unless otherwise specially provided for;"106 SECTION 7.107 Said title is further amended in Code Section 15-18-66, relatin g to duties and authority of108 solicitors-general of state courts, by revising paragraph (4) of subsection (b) as follows:109 "(4) To prosecute civil actions to enforce any civil penalty se t forth in Code Section110 40-6-163 or 40-14-18 and when authorized by law to prosecute or defend any civil action111 in the state court in the prosecution or defense of which the s tate is interested, unless112 otherwise specially provided for;"113 - 5 - 25 LC 39 4713S SECTION 8.114 Said title is further amended in Code Section 15-18-96, relating to authority of prosecuting115 attorney of municipal courts, by revising subparagraph (a)(1)(A) as follows:116 "(A) In the prosecution of any violation of the laws or ordinances of such municipality117 which is within the jurisdiction of such municipal court and punishable by confinement118 or a fine or both or by a civil penalty authorized by Code Section 40-6-163 or 40-14-18;119 and"120 SECTION 9.121 (a) This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2025, and except as otherwise provided for122 in subsection (b) of this section, Section 2 of this Act shall apply to any permit obtained for123 the operation of an automated traffic enforcement safety device on and after such date.124 (b) For any permit issued for the operation of an automated traffic enforcement safety device125 prior to July 1, 2025, Section 2 of this Act shall apply on and after January 1, 2026.126 SECTION 10.127 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.128 - 6 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia Senate bill would set new sign requirements for school zone speed cameras, narrow when those cameras can issue tickets, and let prosecutors enforce the civil fines tied to camera citations. ### Plain-language summary Georgia law lets local governments use automated cameras to catch speeders in school zones, but current rules on signage and enforcement timing have led to disputes. This bill rewrites parts of the state law on speed detection devices and red light cameras (O.C.G.A. Chapter 40-14) to tighten how school zones and their speed limits are defined, require additional warning signs including one that shows a driver's actual speed as they approach, and limit school zone camera enforcement to school days during instructional hours plus one hour before and after classes. The bill also changes when a speeding case can be brought using a speed detection device in school zones, historic districts, and residential zones, and it authorizes district attorneys, solicitors-general, and municipal prosecuting attorneys to enforce the civil monetary penalties tied to school zone camera tickets. The law would take effect July 1, 2025, with the new sign rules applying to devices with permits issued before that date starting January 1, 2026. ### What it does - Redefines 'school zone' and 'school zone speed limit' so the limit cannot vary for more than one hour, more than twice a day. - Requires new warning signs for automated traffic camera use, including a device that shows drivers their actual speed as they approach a school zone. - Limits when automated cameras can ticket school zone speeders to school days during instructional time plus one hour before and after classes. - Revises the rules for when a speeding case can be brought using a speed detection device in school zones, historic districts, and residential zones. - Gives district attorneys, solicitors-general, and municipal prosecuting attorneys authority to bring civil actions to collect unpaid camera-based speeding fines. - Sets the law's effective date as July 1, 2025, with a later January 1, 2026 start for the new sign rules on cameras already permitted. ### Who it affects Drivers who pass through school zones with automated speed cameras, local law enforcement agencies and school districts that operate those cameras, companies that install traffic camera equipment, and district attorneys, solicitors-general, and municipal prosecuting attorneys who handle related civil fines. ### Why it matters Drivers would see new signs, including one showing their real-time speed, before reaching school zone cameras, and those cameras could only issue tickets during a narrower window tied to actual school hours. Local prosecutors would gain clearer authority to chase down unpaid camera fines. ### Key provisions - Section 1 revises the definitions of 'school zone' and 'school zone speed limit' in O.C.G.A. § 40-14-1.1, capping how often the limit can change during the day. - Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-14-6 to require warning signs for automated traffic enforcement devices and a sign or device showing a vehicle's real-time speed before the school zone. - Section 3 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 40-14-8 on when a speeding case can be made, adjusting rules for school zones, historic districts, and residential zones. - Section 4 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-14-18 to restrict camera-based school zone enforcement to school days during instructional hours plus one hour before and after. - Sections 5 through 8 amend Title 15 court provisions to authorize district attorneys, solicitors-general, and municipal prosecuting attorneys to enforce civil penalties tied to school zone camera citations. - Section 9 sets the effective date as July 1, 2025, with the new sign requirements applying to already-permitted camera devices starting January 1, 2026. ## Status - Status: Introduced (2025-02-03) - Last action: Senate Recommitted (2026-01-12) - Sponsors: Max Burns, John Albers, Ricky Williams, Harold Jones, Colton Moore, Steve Gooch, Chuck Payne, Carden Summers, Billy Hickman, Josh McLaurin, Marty Harbin, Nabilah Islam Parkes, Michael Rhett, Jason Esteves, Lee Anderson, Kay Kirkpatrick, Brian Strickland, Shawn Still, Derek Mallow, Chuck Hufstetler, Ben Watson, Frank Ginn, Clint Dixon, Sam Watson - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69806 > The history, votes, and amendments (254 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb75.md?full=1