NASHVILLE -- Legislation restricting Tennessee cities' use of red-light and speed-enforcement cameras was delayed until April 1 Tuesday.
The delay was approved in order to give local and state officials time to develop comprehensive standards governing the technology's growing use.
The bill's sponsor, House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, warned that if no rules are forthcoming from cities, police chiefs, sheriffs, traffic engineers and state officials, he will push his original bill as well as legislation that would completely abolish use of traffic cameras to issue tickets to motorists.
"I'm disappointed we can't move this bill as is, to be perfectly honest with you, but there's more than just us in this House and I think this is an opportunity to be able to pass a bill after we get those regulations," he said.
Among other things, the bill establishes a two-year moratorium on the use of new cameras and changes the current $50 fine to a graduated fine schedule. Changing fines would force the bill into the House Finance Committee, where opponents of restrictions may be able to block it.
Maggie Duncan of the Tennessee Association of Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police expressed willingness to work on rules and standards. She said many lawmakers "see these programs have value but want to make sure they're in place properly."
Matt Lea, who lobbies for the city of Chattanooga, said Chattanooga officials support common standards such areas as where cameras should be installed for safety purposes.