Allegany County staff introduces Code Bill 2-26 to enable school-zone speed cameras

Staff introduced Code Bill 2-26 on April 13, proposing local enabling legislation to allow automated speed-enforcement cameras in school zones. The draft bill adopts the state MUTCD definition of school zones (roughly a half-mile around schools and areas where children are dropped off or picked up), limits county participation to the contours of state law, and designates the sheriff as the entity responsible for operating the program and placing cameras.

The countystaff representative (Jason) said the introduction begins a multi-meeting process and that the board would continue to refine the draft over several meetings. A commissioner asked questions about scope and the plan, and staff confirmed the measure is intended to follow state guidance and to give the sheriff operational control. No formal vote or motion was taken; staff said the item will return for further consideration.

County staff framed the proposal as narrowly tied to state code requirements rather than broad local discretion. They said the ordinance would apply to county road segments that fall within the adopted school-zone definition and emphasized that the countywould not exceed state-authorized limits in the draft. The board did not set a date for final action during the discussion and no public comments on the bill were recorded in the transcript during this meeting.

Next steps: staff will continue drafting and present revised language at a subsequent meeting for the boardto consider introduction and possible formal first reading.