Des Moines, IA- Governor Reynolds has approved a bill that establishes state oversight of traffic cameras that generate tickets for speeding.
Radio Iowa reports that cities and counties will have to submit an application to the Department of Transportation, showing the camera is placed in an area due to the number and severity of traffic accidents there.
The law also says fines from traffic camera tickets must be used on law enforcement expenses.
The governor vetoed another bill on Friday. The bill was originally designed to increase fines for public officials who violate Iowa’s open meetings and open records law. House members said it was needed after egregious examples of Davenport officials denying access to public records related to last year’s collapse of a Davenport apartment building.
However, open government advocates warned a change made to the bill during senate debate would create an enormous loophole in Iowa’s sunshine law.
The law requires public notice for government meetings and policy discussions among elected or appointed officials. Critics say the bill, as adjusted by the Senate, would have allowed government officials to discuss and make discussions in private if there were at political or civic events. Governor Reynolds vetoed the measure, the only bill she has vetoed this year.
The governor has now completed action on all the bills that passed the 2024 Iowa Legislature.
