The Georgia House voted 140–29 to approve the Senate substitute to House Bill 651 as amended by the House, concluding a prolonged floor debate about automated traffic enforcement devices used in school zones.

Chairman Powell explained that the bill reconciles differences with the Senate and seeks to curb what he described as misuse of school‑zone camera programs while preserving tools for local school safety. The Senate substitute had removed some features (including speed indicator signs) and broadened allowable hours, while the House amendment reintroduced flashing speed indicators, limited operation to school days unless a local government expressly opts into extended hours, and restricted four‑lane camera placement to locations with marked crosswalks.

Key provisions in the adopted language include a 10‑mph tolerance above posted limits, mandatory conspicuous notice on citations describing the registration renewal consequence for failure to pay or contest, a two‑step notice process before the Department of Revenue can place a registration block, and a local‑option requirement: jurisdictions must adopt a local ordinance to run cameras beyond defined school‑day periods. The amendment also directs that revenue from citations be used for school safety purposes within the district rather than being treated solely as general local revenue.

Several members questioned legislative drafting language and whether the changes would effectively remedy erroneous citations and the perceived ‘gotcha’ misuse of cameras. Representatives on the floor expressed divergent views: some said the measure restores school‑safety focus and gives communities an opt‑in path for extended enforcement; others said the compromise fails to fully resolve erroneous issuance and administrative burdens on motorists. Representative Dickey said he planned to vote against it, arguing it did not go far enough.

The House adopted the amendment and recorded the roll‑call vote: yeas 140, nays 29. The sponsor characterized the result as imperfect but workable, and suggested further refinement could come in a future session if problems persisted.