New Orleans Challenges Louisiana’s Traffic Camera Laws

City Lawsuit Targets State Authority

NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of Louisiana’s school zone traffic camera laws, escalating a dispute with the state attorney general over millions of dollars in speeding fines.

The lawsuit, filed Sept. 4 in the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish, argues that the state overstepped its authority when it enacted the laws. The outcome could determine whether the city must return about $1.4 million collected from school-zone speeding tickets between May 2024 and March 2025.

Laws at the Center of the Dispute

The legislature passed a series of laws in 2024 aimed at regulating traffic cameras in school zones. One requires cities to share ticket revenue with local school districts and prohibits ticketing until revenue-sharing agreements are in place. Another law, effective in August, requires specific school-zone markings and allows officials to face malfeasance charges for violations.

Attorney General Liz Murrill warned last month that her office could launch a criminal investigation if New Orleans did not comply. “I think the law is clear on this issue,” she said in a statement. “The City of New Orleans is simply wasting time and delaying returning funds to people that it collected in violation of the law.”

City’s Legal Argument

New Orleans contends that the new laws violate its Home Rule Charter, which grants the city certain governing authority. The lawsuit claims the state must prove the measures are both “necessary” and serve a “vital state interest” to justify enforcing them statewide.

The city also pointed to an exemption carved out for Opelousas, arguing the laws are not being applied consistently.

Additionally, city officials argue that Louisiana’s new requirements for school-zone markings—such as a two-foot-wide yellow stripe labeled “Entering school zone”—conflict with federal highway standards. They say this mismatch could jeopardize federal funding.

Revenue-Sharing Dispute

The revenue-sharing requirement has fueled tensions between the city and the Orleans Parish School Board. After months of negotiations, both sides agreed to a 60-40 split favoring the city. The City Council approved the deal in July, but the School Board amended the agreement in August to include penalties for late payments, citing past financial disputes with the city.

That amended agreement has yet to be approved by the City Council.

Meanwhile, the city said it did not activate cameras at the start of the current school year. But last year, it issued tickets and placed about $1.4 million in net revenue into escrow while the legal issues remained unresolved.

State’s Position

Murrill maintains that any tickets issued before a finalized agreement are unlawful. In a letter to city officials, she warned that continuing to collect fines without compliance could result in criminal charges against responsible officials. She also said the money must be returned to drivers who paid tickets “not authorized by law at the time.”

Court Decision Could Set Precedent

The lawsuit sets up a potential clash over local authority and state power. If the courts side with the attorney general, New Orleans may be forced to refund millions and halt its camera enforcement program until agreements are in place.