A bill for an act relating to moneys received from citations issued using an automated or remote system for traffic law enforcement.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Gustoff

Excess revenue from automated traffic citations goes to the Road Use Tax Fund; locals keep only funds needed to run the system, with monthly DOT reporting.

Subcommittee recommends passage.

#citations #highways #lawenforcement #roadusetaxfund #trafficcameras

Overview

HF 50 proposes a change in how money received by local authorities from citations issued using automated or remote traffic enforcement systems is handled. The bill would require excess funds (beyond what is necessary to operate, maintain, and administer the system) to be deposited into the state Road Use Tax Fund. Local authorities could still retain funds necessary to operate the system. In addition, authorities would be required to report monthly to the Department of Transportation (DOT) detailing all revenues and expenses related to the system.

Bill Number: HF 50

Title: A bill for an act relating to moneys received from citations issued using an automated or remote system for traffic law enforcement

Introduced: January 14, 2025

Status: Subcommittee recommends passage

Primary Sponsor: Gustoff

Committee Action: Subcommittee meetings in late January 2025; recommended passage on February 6, 2025

Key Provisions

Repeal/Rewrite of 321P.8: The bill amends the provision governing use of moneys from citations issued by automated traffic enforcement systems.

Allocation of citation revenue:

Local authorities may retain moneys necessary to operate, use, maintain, and administer the automated system.
Any moneys received from citations that exceed the amount necessary for system operations must be transferred monthly to the state treasurer and deposited into the Road Use Tax Fund (created in section 312.1).

Reporting requirement:

Each month, local authorities that received moneys from such citations must submit a report to the Department of Transportation.
The report must include a full and complete statement of all moneys received and all expenses paid relating to the automated system during the preceding calendar month.

Implications and Affected Parties

Affected Entities:

Local authorities that operate automated traffic enforcement systems.
Iowa Department of Transportation (or the applicable DOT in the state, given the code references) for reporting oversight.
State Road Use Tax Fund (funds redirected from local authorities).

Fiscal Impact:

Public funds flow into the Road Use Tax Fund from excess citation revenues, rather than remaining with local jurisdictions.
Local authorities retain only the portion necessary to operate and maintain the system; excess revenues become state revenue dedicated to road funding.
The overall effect is a shift toward funding road infrastructure and related costs at the state level, with increased accountability through mandatory monthly reporting.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: January 14, 2025

Subcommittee Actions:

January 29, 2025: Subcommittee members named (Golding, Behn, Cooling)
February 5–6, 2025: Subcommittee meetings; February 6, 2025, subcommittee recommends passage

Next Steps (if advanced): Full committee consideration, potential floor debate, and eventual enactment/vote outcomes.

Notes

The bill emphasizes accountability and transparency through monthly reporting of all revenues and expenses related to automated enforcement systems.

It narrows the prior approach by directing only excess revenues to the Road Use Tax Fund, while allowing authorities to retain funds needed to operate the system.

Bill