Connecticut House Bill HB05889

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/15
• Refer: 1/21/15

Caption

An Act Increasing The Portion Of Moving Violation Fees Remitted To Municipalities.

Impact

Should this bill be enacted, it could significantly improve the financial situation of municipalities that derive a portion of their funding from traffic fines. This would provide them with additional resources to address local needs, including law enforcement funding, road maintenance, and safety improvements. By directly linking moving violation fines to municipal revenue, the bill also encourages local authorities to prioritize traffic safety and enforcement as a means of generating revenue for community projects.

Summary

House Bill 05889 proposes an amendment to section 51-56a of the general statutes to increase the amount of moving violation fees that are remitted to municipalities. Specifically, the bill stipulates that an additional twenty-five dollars per fine collected for moving violations must be allocated to the municipality where the violation took place. The goal of this bill is to enhance the revenue that local governments receive from traffic enforcement, acknowledging the financial burdens they face in managing road safety and local infrastructure.

Contention

While the bill appears beneficial in terms of increasing local revenues, there may be concerns regarding the potential for increased traffic enforcement aimed more at generating fines than at public safety. Critics might argue that such measures could lead to over-policing in certain areas, as municipalities may become incentivized to enforce violations aggressively to boost revenue. This could raise questions about equitable treatment of drivers across different communities, particularly in underserved areas where traffic enforcement may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.