COLUMBUS, Ohio –Communities may find it tougher to use traffic cameras beginning Wednesday, when a section of state law goes into effect that creates more conditions around their use.

House Bill 62, the two-year transportation budget that raised the gas and diesel tax, also restrains local governments in their use of the cameras.

Specifically, cities and other communities that use the cameras will see a reduction in their portion of the Local Government Fund by the amount they take in from fines. If the amount of fines exceeds the city’s state funding for the year, then the following year’s state funding would be reduced.

Cameras cannot be used on interstate highways under HB 62. Furthermore, ticket appeals must be heard in a court instead of by an administrative officer, which will be more expensive for cities.

Toledo has already sued over the provisions. Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Myron Duhart put traffic camera restrictions on hold for now, according to the Toledo Blade.

State Rep. Niraj Antani, a Dayton-area Republican, said Tuesday Duhart’s decision only applies to Lucas County.

Other cities have sued in the past, too, over various camera restrictions imposed by the Ohio General Assembly. The Ohio Supreme Court has mostly ruled in favor of cities, citing the constitutional provision of Home Rule.

While cities argue the cameras are needed as a safety measure, lawmakers accuse the cities of using them as a revenue generator.

"Red light cameras are too often used to police for profit, and this practice must be stopped,” Antani said in a statement alerting the public about the new provisions. “These new restrictions will protect Ohioans from becoming victims to overzealous local politicians trying to make a quick buck to fund their pet projects.”

Some local residents have already taken action to ban or restrict traffic cameras. In Cleveland, residents in 2014 voted three-to-one for a charter change to ban their use. Maple Heights voters established strict parameters around which the city can enter into contracts with traffic camera companies. Cincinnati banned the cameras in 2008.