Brief

The 2026 budget recommendation (R78) directs the creation of a special fund to support Los Angeles's automated speed enforcement program, which uses cameras to detect and ticket speeding violations. Initiated by Council and referred to both Budget and Finance and Transportation committees, the proposal aims to establish dedicated funding mechanics for the program's ongoing operations. As of mid-September, the Transportation Committee has scheduled the item for review at its September 16 meeting.

Full summary

This file addresses the financial infrastructure needed to support Los Angeles's forthcoming automated speed camera program, authorized under state law AB 645 (signed October 2023). LADOT General Manager Laura Rubio-Cornejo is recommending that Council instruct the City Attorney to amend Ordinance No. 92382, which governs the existing Traffic Safety Fund, to accomplish three things: allow citation revenue from the speed camera program to be deposited into that fund; codify how the revenue can be spent, consistent with AB 645's requirements; and transfer fund administration from its current structure to LADOT. The speed camera program itself is already moving forward under separate Council actions. In March 2026, Council approved 125 camera locations and a Speed Safety System Use Policy; in June 2026, Council authorized a contract with Verra Mobility to operate the cameras. The program is set to launch this fall with a 60-day warning-only period, after which enforceable citations begin — potentially as early as October 31, 2026. Fines range from $50 for driving 11 to 15 mph over the limit to $500 for speeds of 100 mph or more. Cameras will only be placed in school zones, designated safety corridors, and locations with documented repeated speeding. The fund structure matters because AB 645 strictly restricts how citation revenue can be used. Revenue must first cover program operating costs — equipment, operations, adjudication, and required traffic-calming measures — and any surplus must be spent on traffic-calming and street-safety improvements near where violations occurred, within three years. Unspent surplus reverts to the state's Active Transportation Program. The law explicitly bars the city from using the money to backfill General Fund obligations or cut baseline traffic-safety budgets. To track the revenue cleanly, the Controller's Office has recommended creating a new Revenue Source Code (RSRC 4803) specifically for camera-based citations, distinguishing them from standard parking or court fines. The current Traffic Safety Fund is limited by city code to revenues from misdemeanor Vehicle Code arrests and partially funds the Crossing Guard Program, so an ordinance amendment is legally required before camera fines can flow into it. LADOT's July 31 report was referred to the Transportation Committee on August 3, and the file also sits with the Budget and Finance Committee. No committee votes or full Council action have occurred yet. LADOT notes that any additional program-specific policies — beyond the fund ordinance changes recommended here — should be handled through a separate process.

Activity (4)

• 2026-09-11 Transportation Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 16, 2026.
• 2026-08-03 Department of Transportation document(s) referred to Transportation Committee.
• 2026-07-31 Document submitted by Department of Transportation, dated July 31, 2026.
• 2026-07-08 Council document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee; Transportation Committee.

Documents (2)

• 2026-07-31 Report from Department of Transportation · report
• 2026-06-24 Budget Recommendation · other