O'Malley's Speed Camera Bill Grinds to Halt In Senate 4-1-09

A key bill in Governor Martin O'Malley's 2009 legislative agenda was defeated on the Senate floor this evening.  Legislation to authorize speed cameras on a state-wide basis was rejected on a vote of 23 yeas and 24 nays (Senate Bill 277 - Vehicle Laws - Speed Monitoring Systems - Statewide Authorization and Use in Highway Work Zones).

Earlier today, the bill was considered by the media to be "Poised to Pass" (click here).  A statewide bill for speed cameras was passed in the 2003 legislative session but was vetoed by Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Striking a blow to the "Big Brother" style monitoring program, opponents of the bill argued that speed cameras are an intrusion on individual privacy, do not improve public safety and offer little except serving as a cash cow to government coffers.  Almost $10 million in fines were assessed last year under a pilot program in Montgomery County.

Proponents offered increased safety as the major rationale for the bill and stated that restricting the cameras to work zones and schools protected citizens from widespread abuse of the cameras by local governments.

While voted down this evening, the issue of speed cameras may come back before the Senate upon a motion to reconsider by a member of the Senate or if the House passes the cross-filed Administration bill for consideration by the Senate.