GDOT staff briefed the State Transportation Board on June 17, 2026 about amendments to Chapter 672‑20 governing permits for Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices (ATESD) in school zones, driven by House Bills 651 and 1161. Key changes shift the permittee from schools/school districts to counties or municipalities by July 1, 2026, introduce a GDOT appeals process, add lane and crosswalk-based permitting restrictions, and tighten operating-hour rules. Additional amendments effective July 1, 2027 will require traffic control devices with speed displays and flashing beacons tied to ATESD operation, and mandate that any ATESD enforcement contract entered into or renewed by a local government be backed by a voter-approved referendum, with permits limited to six years from that approval.While this presentation does not list specific procurements, it signals that counties and cities will need to assume permitting responsibilities, potentially install compliant speed display/flashers, and renegotiate or rebid photo-enforcement contracts in line with the new referendum and permit-term requirements, creating opportunities for ATESD vendors, traffic-signal integrators, and legal/compliance advisors.

Local governing bodies will become ATESD permittees and must hold authorizing referenda for new or renewed ATESD enforcement contracts after July 1, 2027, implying contract restructuring across the state.