JEFFERSON CITY • Missouri lawmakers may try again this year to put the brakes on red-light cameras.

In a proposal filed in anticipation of the start of a new legislative session on Wednesday, state Rep. Bryan Spencer, R-Wentzille, is looking to ban the automated cameras that had become a major revenue generator for some cities.

The measure comes less than five months after the Missouri Supreme Court struck down red-light camera laws in St. Louis, Moline Acres and St. Peters.

The high court’s ruling found problems in each of the local ordinances, but did not specifically ban the cameras. Spencer said the legal decision may help sway his colleagues this spring.

“It doesn’t hurt. This would put a barrier up and shut down a lot of loopholes,” Spencer said Monday.

Like others, Spencer said he believes cities began using the cameras not to promote safety, but to generate revenue.

“It has become a money grab,” Spencer said.

After the court ruling, St. Louis stopped issuing tickets, dismissed all pending cases and offered refunds to people who had recently paid tickets.