Committee narrows automated school‑zone camera enforcement to active school times

Sponsor Senator Powers said current Tennessee law allows school‑zone speed cameras to operate at all times, even when school is not in session, and that SB 2443 aligns enforcement with actual risk by limiting camera use to periods when school‑zone lights are flashing or children are present. He said parts of Tennessee, including Chattanooga, already use this approach.

"This bill ensures that enforcement is applied when it is most appropriate and most effective," Powers said, framing the change as a safety‑and‑fairness adjustment. Committee members sought clarification that the amendment limited current authority rather than expanding it, and the sponsor confirmed the measure narrows enforcement to active periods.

After a brief exchange the committee adopted the amendment and voted the bill out to the calendar; the clerk recorded unanimous support in committee.