Delegation narrows Rising Sun stop‑sign camera pilot to town‑controlled intersections

Delegate Kevin Hornberger said the Cecil County delegation voted to amend HB1370, a pilot program that would allow automated stop‑sign cameras in the town of Rising Sun, to explicitly prevent installation on state roads and intersection‑related state highway sites.

Hornberger said the pilot would start with signage and a trial period; first violations would trigger mailed warnings tied to the vehicle registration and, after a town‑determined timeframe, repeat violations could convert to fines. "This is not a money making enterprise. It's solely there to change behavior," Hornberger said.

County Executive Straight raised a separate concern that the State Highway Administration had not been consulted and that SHA often retains jurisdiction over intersections even when abutting town streets. "State Highway Administration has not, to my knowledge, been contacted on this," Straight said, urging the delegation to exclude SHA jurisdiction from the pilot.

Chief Peterson of Rising Sun joined to answer questions and told the delegation the town was evaluating specific four‑way town intersections for the pilot. "They're positioned on the 4‑way stops with intersections of town roads only. They would not be placed on county roads nor would they be placed on state roads," Chief Peterson said, listing Cherry Street & Wilson Avenue, Pearl Street & Buckley, and North Queen Street & Pearl Street as potential sites under review.

Members pressed for a map of proposed locations and public vetting; Delegate Elliot Griffith asked the mayor to appear and provide site context, and several members said they wanted the drafting to explicitly bar intersection‑related state highway placements. Hornberger moved the amendment to exclude state roads; it was seconded and approved by voice vote. Delegates asked staff to include "intersection‑related" language in the drafting to remove ambiguity.

Hornberger said the bill had received a favorable committee report and that the delegation would circulate the agreed amendment and updated fiscal note once finalized. He asked members to look for the record of the previous hearing and any materials submitted by the town before the committee's next action.