HF3431

Purpose

• Establish and make permanent a traffic safety camera pilot program to educate and enforce speeding violations and traffic-control signal violations using camera systems.

What the bill would do (main provisions)

• Create a traffic safety camera pilot program under a new or amended section, defining camera-based traffic enforcement for red light and speed violations, in coordination with transportation and public safety commissioners.
• Limit pilot program to a defined time period (August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2029) and specify who may implement it (certain local authorities, including cities, counties, towns, plus the city of Mendota Heights; Minneapolis has a special restriction).
• Specify enforcement in trunk highway work zones as a starting point (and expand to other locations as defined).
• Allow only designated authorities to implement camera enforcement; Minneapolis is expressly restricted from implementing through its police department.
• Requirements for public engagement, signage, and information:
  • Agencies must maintain websites with program details, camera locations, impact studies, and processes to contest citations.
  • Prior to starting camerabased speed enforcement, implement a public engagement campaign and signage at monitoring sites to notify drivers.
  • Public engagement must reach traditionally underrepresented populations and include feedback analysis and an engagement summary.
• Penalties and enforcement for red light and speed violations:
  • Red light camera penalties: owner/lessee guilty of a petty misdemeanor with a base fine (typically $40). First offenses receive a warning; second offenses may enter a diversion program with a traffic safety course, after which fines/convictions would be waived.
  • Speed safety camera penalties: similar structure with a base fine of $40 or $80 if speeding is at least 20 mph over the limit; first offenses get warnings; second offenses may enter diversion with a traffic safety course.
  • Both red light and speed violations are generally not subject to suspension or revocation of the driver’s license, with exceptions for certain CDL holders and other specified cases.
  • A traffic enforcement agent must verify images and only issue citations after the system has begun enforcement, with specific thresholds (e.g., for speeding, at least 10 mph over the limit).
  • Citations may be mailed to the vehicle owner; specific time frames apply (e.g., notifications and deadlines for Minnesota-registered vs. out-of-state vehicles).
• Citations and uniform documentation:
  • Establish a uniform traffic safety camera citation that functions like a summons/complaint, with required components such as location, time, images, officer verification, and information about diversion and contest processes.
  • Include rights to contest, and a disclosure of fines and diversion eligibility on the citation.
• Data privacy and use:
  • Data from the traffic safety camera system are private or nonpublic data, with restrictions on sharing and dissemination.
  • Private entities involved in the program may only use data for camera enforcement and must comply with applicable data privacy laws; summary data may be shared.
  • Data are not generally subject to subpoenas or discovery in prosecutions or civil actions not tied to the camera enforcement.
• Driving records:
  • Generally, violations captured by the camera would not be recorded on an individual’s driving record, with the same CDL-related exceptions noted for penalties.
• Administrative and legal adjustments:
  • Aligns or amends related statutory provisions for the pilot program and enforcement mechanisms, including sections governing red light and speed camera enforcement, and data practices.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds a formal, time-limited pilot program for camera-based traffic enforcement, expanding to both red light and speed violations and creating a broader framework for penalties, notices, public engagement, and data handling.
• Introduces a structured process for warnings, diversions, and traffic safety courses as alternatives to fines/convictions.
• Creates specific local authority participation rules (including Mendota Heights and certain large cities) and imposes a prohibition on Minneapolis enforcing through its police department.
• Establishes detailed data privacy protections and limits on data use and sharing, along with public-facing reporting and signage requirements.

Implementation details and timeline

• Pilot program effective from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2029.
• Public engagement and signage requirements to precede and accompany enforcement.
• Enforcement in work zones starting August 1, 2025, with potential expansion per statute.
• Regulations for issuance of citations, warning periods, and process for contesting citations, including mail-in options and specific timelines.

Potential impacts on residents

• Increased use of camera-based enforcement for speeding and red light violations within the pilot areas.
• Fines and penalties are structured to include warnings and diversion options, with privacy protections for data collected by cameras.
• Enhanced public information and opportunities to provide feedback on the program, with transparent reporting on impacts.

Relevant Terms - red light camera - speed safety camera - camera-based traffic enforcement - traffic safety camera pilot program - monitoring site - enforcement agent - citation - warning - diversion - traffic safety course - petty misdemeanor - fine - 40 dollars - 80 dollars - 20 miles per hour over the limit - work zone - trunk highway - local authority - Minneapolis - Mendota Heights - public engagement - signage - impact study - data privacy - private entity - driving record - commercial driver license (CDL) - contest the citation - uniform citation - data sharing - summary data - posting and notices - mailing of citations - deadline and notice periods