A bill signed into law by acting Gov. Richard Codey authorizes prosecutors in New Jersey to use information from toll-road and photo-monitoring systems in criminal cases. It swept through the Legislature by unanimous consent.

The new law, previously S141, requires 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 existing 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 makes criminal investigations more efficient, Sen. Leonard T. Connors Jr., R-Ocean, told The Press of Atlantic City.

The new rule prohibits information from toll authorities from being used in civil cases or to issue speeding tickets.

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