A New Jersey Assembly panel has voted in favor of a bill that would authorize prosecutors to use information from toll-road and photo-monitoring systems in criminal cases.

The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted Nov. 4 to forward the legislation to the full Assembly before heading to the governor’s desk. It previously passed the Senate.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Leonard T. Connors Jr., R-Ocean, would require the state attorney general or county prosecutors to present a subpoena from a court or grand jury to access information such as reports or photos from toll-monitoring authorities.

Under current state law, toll-road authorities have different procedures for releasing information to law enforcement. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New Jersey Highway Authority require a subpoena, while the New Jersey Turnpike Authority requires both a subpoena and court order.

Requiring authorities to submit only a subpoena would make criminal investigations more efficient, Connors told The Press of Atlantic City.

The proposal – S141 – would prohibit information from toll authorities from being used in civil cases or to issue speeding tickets.

“It’s not for spying on anyone,” Connors said.