News Summary
New Orleans has initiated legal proceedings against the state of Louisiana regarding the enforcement of traffic camera laws. The lawsuit, filed on September 4, claims the new regulations infringe upon the city’s authority and could potentially force the city to return approximately $1.4 million in speeding fines. The conflict arises from accusations of non-compliance with state laws, as New Orleans challenges new revenue-sharing agreements and upcoming requirements for school zone markings. This legal dispute could significantly impact local revenue and school funding.
New Orleans is taking legal action against the state of Louisiana over the enforcement of school zone traffic camera laws, a dispute that could potentially require the city to return around $1.4 million in fines collected from speeding violations over the past year. The lawsuit was filed on September 4 in the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish, alleging that the state has exceeded its authority regarding traffic laws.
The tensions escalated when Louisiana’s Attorney General, Liz Murrill, accused New Orleans of violating the state’s traffic camera laws. Following the Orleans Parish School Board’s approval of a revenue-sharing agreement that divides collected fines 60-40 between the city and local schools, the city’s decision to proceed with the lawsuit underscores its intention to contest the legality of these new regulations.
According to the lawsuit, the city’s authority has been infringed upon by the new traffic laws, which were established following the 2024 legislative session. One of the contested laws mandates that municipalities share revenues from traffic camera tickets with local school districts and bars them from issuing tickets until the revenue-sharing agreements are finalized. Another law, which will take effect in August 2024, requires school zones to have specific markings, with penalties for public officials who fail to comply, raising the stakes for those responsible for enforcing these regulations.
The outcome of this legal battle will determine if the city must return the speeding fines collected from May 2024 to March 2025. Despite the Attorney General’s threats of a criminal investigation and the pressure to comply with the new laws, New Orleans continued to issue tickets and amassed significant revenue from these fines. Murrill has insisted that the law is explicit and that the city must return the funds collected in violation of the mandatory agreements.
Also central to the lawsuit are claims that the new marking requirements for school zones might conflict with standards set by the Federal Highway Administration, potentially jeopardizing federal funding for the city. The lawsuit highlights that the city of Opelousas is exempt from these state laws without any justification, raising additional questions about the fairness and consistency of the regulations.
As the situation develops, New Orleans has announced that it will not activate its traffic cameras at the start of the upcoming school year. Murrill has warned city officials that any tickets issued without finalized revenue-sharing agreements not only breach state law but could also subject those responsible to criminal charges. Furthermore, public officials may face malfeasance charges due to non-compliance with the new traffic camera laws.
The city argues that the state must provide justification for the need for these laws and prove they are necessary to protect a vital state interest to enforce them statewide. New Orleans has continued to challenge the state’s position, asserting its right under the Home Rule Charter.
As of August 1, 2024, any tickets issued for speeding in school zones will require compliance with strict state regulations. The new Cooperative Endeavor Agreement is essential for the legality of traffic cameras operating in school zones moving forward. The city will need to adhere to these new stipulations or risk facing significant financial and legal implications arising from its traffic enforcement practices.
This case not only highlights a conflict between state and local governance but also poses a significant financial dilemma for New Orleans, where the future of traffic camera revenue and its impact on local schools hangs in the balance.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NOLA: New Orleans Sues Louisiana Over School Zone Camera Laws
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Camera
- Fox 8: New Orleans Stops Issuing Speeding Tickets via Cameras
- Google Search: School Zone Traffic Camera
- WDSU: Orleans Parish School Board Reaches Agreement with City of New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans School Zone Camera Rules
- Axios: School Zone Camera Revenue Fines Agreement
- WWLTV: Orleans School Board Strike Deal with New Orleans
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
