Iowa Rep. Ralph Watts, R-Adel, told The Daily Iowan Wednesday a bill prohibiting the use of automated traffic law enfocement systems passed through an Iowa House subcommittee.

This development comes one day after the Iowa City City Council voted 4-3 in support of the technology during a second consideration Tuesday night.

City Council plans to vote on the proposed ordinance’s third consideration at its next meeting Feb. 21.

The proposed law would become effective this year, requiring cities with already-existing camera systems to remove them by July 1.

The bill will advance to the full House Transportation Committee next week.

— by Kristen East