Assigned to TTMC AS PASSED BY COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1673
failure to pay; suspension; restriction
Purpose
Requires a court to determine if a person's failure to pay a civil traffic penalty is willful
before suspending or restricting the person's driving privileges.
Background
All civil penalties must be paid within 30 days after an entry of judgment, except that if
payment within 30 days will place an undue economic burden on a person, the court may extend
the time for payment or provide for installment payments. If the civil penalty is not paid or an
installment payment is not made when due, the court may declare the entire civil penalty, surcharge
or assessment due (A.R.S. § 28-1601).
If a person appears as directed for a scheduled court appearance and does not pay the
person's fines, surcharges or assessments, the court must notify the Arizona Department of
Transportation (ADOT) to suspend or restrict the person's driving privileges until the fines,
surcharges and assessments are paid (A.R.S. § 28-3308). A civil penalty imposed for a traffic
violation may not exceed $250, except as provided. However, the court must levy additional
surcharges, as prescribed (A.R.S. § 28-1598).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the court to determine whether:
a) a person's failure to pay civil traffic penalties is willful; and
b) if so, to suspend or restrict the person's driving privileges until the fines, surcharges and
assessments are paid.
2. Makes conforming changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Removes the prohibition on a court notifying ADOT to refuse to renew a vehicle registration
for unpaid civil traffic violation penalties, unless the court finds that the person willfully failed
to pay the civil penalty.
2. Makes conforming changes. FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1673
Page 2
Senate Action
TTMC 2/12/24 DP 6-1-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 27, 2024
KJA/sdr