OBD: in severe cases like the ones you're talking about, some states allow reckless driving to be charged as a felony. If this bill went through, all states in Frémont would probably move to make those worse offenses chargeable as felonies so they aren't covered by the ban. We could amend in a provision specifically encouraging them to do that if you'd like.
Another issue, though: lots of municipal governments are already locked into multi-year contracts with traffic camera companies, and get millions in revenue out of the cameras. I don't
support that system, but we have to be practical -- local budgets are already making serious budget cuts because of the recession, and whether we think traffic cameras are good or not, this would make the shortfalls they're facing worse.
To solve this, I propose the following amendment. No offense taken if it's not friendly, ofc.
AN ACT
to end unwarranted police surveillance
Section 1 (Title & definitions)
i. The title of this act shall be, the “Ban Big Brother Act.” It may be cited as “BBB.”
ii. As it appears in this legislation, “traffic camera” shall refer to any video recording device posted by a state or municipal authority to monitor traffic.
Section 2 (Ban on traffic cameras)
i. Footage obtained from a traffic camera shall not be used to charge any person with a traffic violation or other misdemeanor.
Section 3 (Enactment)
i. This Act shall come into effect on October 1st, 2022.
ii. State, county, or municipal governments may apply for temporary exemptions to the provisions of this Act, if they entered into binding contracts with private companies to provide traffic cameras prior to the Act's passage, and said contract ends after the date specified in §3(ii).
a. Such exemptions shall cease upon the expiration of said contract.
