A bill that would have made it tougher for local governments to put up red-light cameras was tabled Wednesday after it generated some heated debate in the Senate and got the usually genial lieutenant governor in a lather.

HB 77, which passed the House last year, would require local governments to get permits from the state Department of Transportation to put up the cameras at intersections. The cameras have become increasingly popular in cities around the state, raising millions for local jurisdictions as the cameras snap away at offenders.

Sen. Jack Murphy, (R-Cumming) said the bill would require local governments to justify a "genuine safety need" for cameras, which he said are too often used for "revenue generating."

Senators tried to tack on several amendments to the bill, including a measure that would have earmarked the money raised by the cameras for a statewide trauma network. As lawmakers debated, a frustrated Casey Cagle weighed in.

"This is the first time this session we have had Mickey Mouse type amendments," he said. "And I'm not real happy about it."

Several senators withdrew their amendments and lawmakers voted 49-4 to table the bill.