SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS ON FEDERAL INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS

      Present law generally prohibits surveillance cameras on federal interstate highways, except for (i) SmartWay cameras; (ii) other intelligent transportation system cameras; and (iii) surveillance cameras used to enforce or monitor traffic violations within work zones designated by the department of transportation when employees of the department or construction workers are present if the cameras are operated only by a state entity.  This bill also allows surveillance cameras under (iii) above if such cameras are used to aid in the investigation and prevention of terrorism and state criminal offenses other than traffic violations.

COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS ON ROADS

      This bill authorizes a county or municipality to purchase, install, operate, and maintain surveillance cameras on any public road or highway, other than a federal interstate highway, for the purpose of aiding in the investigation and prevention of terrorism and state criminal offenses if (i) such use is consistent with the continued use, operations, maintenance, and safety of the highway facility and does not interfere with the free and safe flow of traffic; (ii) the cameras are only operated by local law enforcement agencies; (iii) the cameras are not used to enforce or monitor state or local traffic violations or issue citations for such violations; and (iv) if the cameras are used on state roads, the local law enforcement agency has obtained approval from the department of transportation prior to the installation and operation of the cameras, and the cameras and their use comply with the present law requirements.