Relating to the operation of motor vehicles, including a distracted driving information program and fund, citations issued due to use of automated systems for traffic law enforcement, and enforcement of safety belt and safety harness requirements, providing fees, and making appropriations

The bill requires telecommunication service providers to impose a surcharge of not more than $50 per month per access line on each access line subscriber. The amount of the surcharge is required to be based on a proportional usage factor determined by the director of revenue. The surcharge is collected in the same manner as other telecommunication services charges, and the moneys are required to be deposited in the fund monthly. Service providers are required to provide notice of the surcharge and describe the surcharge on customers’ billing statements. The surcharge is exempt from sales tax. AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CITATIONS PROHIBITED. The bill prohibits the state or a local authority from using an automated or remote system for traffic law enforcement (ATE system) to issue a citation for a traffic violation. However, the state or a local authority may issue a warning memorandum. Evidence of a traffic violation detected by an ATE system is inadmissible and cannot be used in any criminal or civil proceeding. The bill defines “automated or remote system for traffic law enforcement”. SEAT BELT VIOLATIONS.445 (safety belts and safety harnesses).445 as a secondary action when the driver of a motor vehicle has been stopped or detained for a suspected violation of another provision of Code chapter 321 (motor vehicles and laws of the road), a local ordinance equivalent to a provision of Code chapter 321, or other law.445 commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $70 scheduled fine.