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Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky Bill Establishes Traffic Camera Civil Penalties and $50 Fines for Red-Light Violations
Last action · January 6, 2026: introduced in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)Sponsor: Reggie Thomas
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What This Bill Proposed
Vehicle owners face a $50 civil penalty when recorded by a running a red light, with no driver's license points assessed. Law enforcement agencies must mail citations within 14 days, with $45 of each penalty retained by the local government and $5 sent to the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Changes enforcement methods for red-light infractions by shifting from officer-issued traffic stops to automated camera-based civil citations that target registered vehicle owners rather than drivers directly, carrying a standard $50 fee and potential vehicle registration suspension for non-payment.
- Senate Bill 24 was introduced in the Kentucky Senate during the 2026 Regular Session by Senator R. Thomas. context
- Traffic control signal monitoring systems use automated cameras and sensors to photograph vehicles entering intersections after a red light has activated. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
motor vehicle owners
Motor vehicle owners are subject to a $50 civil penalty and potential vehicle registration suspension if captured running a red light by a monitoring system.
local governments
Local governments retain $45 of the revenue generated from each civil penalty issued by traffic monitoring systems.
Administrative Office of the Courts
Receives $5 from each penalty and must prescribe a uniform civil citation form in consultation with the Transportation Cabinet.
Key Facts
- A $50 civil penalty is imposed on the registered owner of a motor vehicle recorded by a traffic control signal monitoring system running a red light, unless the operator received a police citation at the time.
- Out of each $50 civil penalty collected, $45 is retained by the local government and $5 is sent to the Administrative Office of the Courts.
- Citations issued via camera monitoring must be mailed no later than 14 days after the alleged violation, accompanied by a copy of the recorded image and a signed, sworn statement by an agency technician.
- Red-light camera penalties do not result in driving record points assessed against the operator.
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- If a person refuses to pay the civil penalty and does not contest the violation, the Transportation Cabinet suspends the motor vehicle's registration upon notification by the District Court.
- Defenses against the citation include yielding to an emergency vehicle, following police directions, participating in a funeral procession, stolen vehicle or plates, an obscured traffic signal, or proof that the named person was not driving at the time.
- Vehicle rental and leasing companies and holders of dealer plates are exempt from the definition of 'owner' for these automated penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defenses are allowed if I receive a red-light camera citation?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · introduced in the Senate.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 6, 2026SenateIntroducedintroduced in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Shift to Automated Civil Enforcement
The bill shifts enforcement of specific traffic light violations from immediate police stops to post-incident civil notices sent to vehicle owners based on camera evidence.
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
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