Connecticut House Bill HB05132

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/21
• Refer: 1/12/21

Caption

An Act Concerning Unregistered Motor Vehicles.

Impact

The enactment of HB 05132 is expected to significantly impact local government finances and enforcement capabilities. Municipalities that choose to implement such ordinances could see an increase in revenue through fines and may improve compliance among vehicle owners regarding registration requirements. This bill effectively empowers local governments to take a more proactive stance against unregistered vehicles, contributing to better public safety and regulatory compliance. However, it also places additional responsibilities on municipalities to enforce these new ordinances, which may require adjustments in their existing administrative frameworks.

Summary

House Bill 05132, titled 'An Act Concerning Unregistered Motor Vehicles', seeks to provide municipalities in the state with the authority to enact ordinances that impose fines on owners of motor vehicles that are not registered but are subject to property taxation. This bill allows for greater local control and aims to address the issue of unregistered vehicles, which can create complications for municipalities in terms of property tax collection. By permitting fines and the potential for liens against real property owned by such individuals, the bill offers municipalities a more robust mechanism for enforcing registration compliance and collecting taxes owed on these vehicles.

Contention

While the bill proposes beneficial aspects for municipalities, it is likely to encounter concerns regarding fairness and potential overreach. Opponents may argue that imposing fines on unregistered vehicle owners could disproportionately affect low-income residents, who may struggle to comply with vehicle registration laws. The imposition of liens on real property could further exacerbate financial difficulties for these individuals. Additionally, the authority granted to local governments raises questions about uniformity across the state in handling vehicle registration matters. Thus, while HB 05132 aims to enable municipalities to effectively manage unregistered vehicles, the implications for vulnerable populations and the potential for abuse may be points of contention during legislative discussions.