Rep. Dale Washburn Honored as Lawmaker of the Year by Reason Foundation for Work to Reform Speed Zone Cameras

ATLANTA - State Representative Dale Washburn (R-Macon) was recently honored as Lawmaker of the Year by the Reason Foundation for his legislative efforts to reform the use of speed zone cameras in Georgia.

"Receiving this recognition from the Reason Foundation is an honor, and I am incredibly proud of the progress we've made to bring accountability to speed zone cameras in Georgia," said Rep. Washburn. "When Macon-Bibb County began installing these cameras in front of schools throughout the county, I knew we needed to take a closer look at their use, which is why I introduced legislation in 2025 to ban these cameras. Although that legislation did not become law, I continued working on this issue and was proud to see meaningful legislation pass during the 2026 legislative session. These cameras should be about safety, not generating revenue, and I will continue working to make sure Georgia's laws protect both public safety and Georgia motorists from unnecessary or unfair enforcement."

After Rep. Washburn sponsored House Bill 225 during the 2025 legislative session, which did not receive final passage or become law, House Bill 651 was introduced during the 2026 legislative session, which received final passage and was later signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp.

HB 651 establishes new requirements for automated traffic enforcement safety devices in school zones, including requiring Department of Transportation permits and limiting citations to vehicles traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit during designated times around school start and dismissal. It also allows the Department of Public Safety to fine local governments for violations, reduces the electronic processing fee from $25 to $10 and requires local referendums every six years to continue camera contracts.

The Reason Foundation is a nonpartisan public policy research organization that conducts research and engages with policymakers, journalists and opinion leaders on a range of public policy issues. To learn more about the organization, please click here.

Representative Dale Washburn represents the citizens of District 144, which includes Jasper County, as well as portions of Bibb, Jones, Monroe and Putnam counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Regulated Industries Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, Banks & Banking, Creative Arts & Entertainment, Higher Education, Public & Community Health and Ways & Means committees.

###