House panel approves ban on traffic cameras

DES MOINES - A bill banning red-light and speed cameras in the state sailed through a House committee Thursday and is on its way to the floor for a vote.

House File 2048 passed 15-6, with some Democrats joining the majority Republicans.

But even those who voted against the ban supported an amendment that would have put several restrictions on how municipalities could use the cameras. Those include limiting the amount a city could charge for a camera-produced citation and specifications on the size and location of warning signs.

Rep. Chris Hall, D-Sioux City, joined the majority Republicans with his yes vote. He said he prefers compromise legislation that would allow cities to have cameras as opposed to an outright ban, but “the political reality is for a statewide ban right now.”

Sioux City, which charges people $185 for infractions caught on camera, has been brought up several times during the debate as a city that abuses the cameras.

“The fees are too steep in Sioux City,” Hall said. “I agree with the mayor that they should be lowered.” Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott has said he'd introduce legislation this month to lower the fines.

The legislation was amended in committee to clarify that cameras on police vehicles and school buses would not be affected by the ban.

Rep. Jim Lykam, a Democrat from Davenport who voted against the ban, said he preferred the compromise legislation that was modeled on Davenport's use of the cameras. Fines in Davenport are capped at $65 and the money generated goes to public safety.

“In my town, we have drive-by shootings, muggings and robberies,” Lykam said. “I'd rather have the police working on those than speeders and red lights.”

Walt Rogers, R-Cedar Falls, sponsor of the legislation, said everyone is interested in keeping the roads safe, but there are better ways to do it than by posting cameras all over cities and towns.

He said it reminded him of a Sylvester Stallone movie, “Demolition Man,” where Stallone's character gets fined for swearing.

“Our freedoms are taken away bit by bit,” he said. “That idea of a camera surveillance state has really gotten me passionate about this.”