News Summary
New Orleans is engaged in a legal battle with the state of Louisiana regarding the enforcement of school zone traffic camera laws. Attorney General Liz Murrill has accused the city of violating regulations concerning revenue sharing from traffic fines. The city’s lawsuit argues that the state has overstepped its authority, impacting nearly $1.4 million in collected fines. In the midst of ongoing disputes and changes in regulations, New Orleans continues to issue speeding tickets while navigating the complexities of compliance and potential criminal charges.
New Orleans is currently embroiled in a legal dispute concerning the legitimacy of Louisiana’s school zone traffic camera laws. The state’s Attorney General, Liz Murrill, has accused the city of violating these laws, leading to New Orleans filing a lawsuit in the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish last month. The outcome of this case is poised to impact approximately $1.4 million in speeding fines that the city has collected over the past year.
The lawsuit filed by New Orleans contends that the state has overstepped its authority in enforcing certain provisions of the school zone traffic camera laws. A significant aspect of these laws requires municipalities to share the revenue collected from school zone camera tickets with local school districts. Furthermore, the laws stipulate that municipalities cannot issue traffic tickets until the required revenue-sharing agreements are established. A second law, set to take effect in August 2024, introduces mandatory markings for school zones and allows for malfeasance charges against public officials who fail to comply.
In her accusations, Attorney General Murrill has outlined potential criminal investigations and charges against New Orleans officials, alleging that they have failed to adhere to these new regulations. Just days before the lawsuit was filed, the Orleans Parish School Board approved a revenue-sharing agreement that allocates 60% of the traffic camera ticket revenues to the city and 40% to the schools. However, this agreement has yet to be presented to the City Council for approval.
Murrill has expressed concerns that New Orleans is unlawfully delaying the return of collected funds. In response, city officials argue that these new traffic camera laws infringe upon the authority granted to them under the Home Rule Charter. They are contending that the state must prove the necessity and importance of these laws for them to be enforceable.
The lawsuit also highlights that the city of Opelousas is exempt from complying with similar laws, a fact that the city argues lacks justification. New Orleans further claims that the requirements for new school zone markings could conflict with standards set by the Federal Highway Administration, potentially putting federal funds at risk.
Despite the ongoing legal challenge, New Orleans has continued to issue speeding tickets in school zones and has collected approximately $1.4 million in fines from May 2024 to March 2025, which are currently held in escrow. Prior to this legal dispute, a previous agreement signed by the City Council had been in place, allowing for a revenue split of 60-40 between the city and local schools. This agreement was recently amended to include penalties for delayed payments, stemming from the city’s outstanding $10 million judgment related to an unrelated lawsuit.
Furthermore, New Orleans had not activated its traffic cameras at the start of the recent school year, a decision made in light of the legal uncertainties. Murrill has reiterated that any tickets issued without a valid revenue-sharing agreement are considered illegal and should be refunded. She has warned that continued illegal fine collection by New Orleans could lead to criminal charges against the officials responsible.
As of August 1, the issuance of speeding tickets via cameras across New Orleans was suspended to allow for ongoing infrastructure improvements and to ensure compliance with state laws. The situation remains tense as both the city and state navigate the legalities surrounding the enforcement of these traffic camera regulations, and the resolution of this dispute could have significant financial implications for New Orleans and its school districts.
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New Orleans Implements Enhanced School Zone Safety Measures
New Orleans Implements New School Zone Safety Measures
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New Orleans Halts Speed Camera Tickets Except in School Zones
New Orleans Suspends Speed Camera Enforcement Indefinitely
Additional Resources
- WDSU: New Orleans Sues Louisiana Traffic Camera Law
- Google Search: Louisiana traffic camera laws
- KTBS: New Orleans Sues Louisiana Over Traffic Cameras
- Wikipedia: Traffic Enforcement Camera
- NOLA: Speed Cameras Turned Off in New Orleans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Enforcement
- Fox 8 Live: New Orleans Stops Issuing Speeding Tickets via Cameras
- Google News: New Orleans traffic cameras
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.
