Researcher: JP Page 1 4/11/22
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5366
AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE
STATUTES.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
§ 1 ― VEHICLE TITLES
Reduces the requirements insurers must follow when applying for certain vehicle titles;
creates a process for titling abandoned vehicles at used car facilities after notifying owners
§§ 2 & 3 ― EXTENSION FOR EMISSIONS REPAIRS
Requires the motor vehicles commissioner to waive emissions standards compliance for
vehicles needing additional time to make emissions-related repairs
§ 4 ― VETERAN FEE WAIVERS
Extends license and registration fee waivers to any veteran within two years from their
date of separation
§ 5 ― GRACE PERIOD FROM FINES OR LATE FEES FOR ARMED
FORCES MEMBERS
Increases, from 60 to 90 days after release from qualifying service, the grace period for
armed forces members from certain fines or late fees
§ 6 ― SUSPENSION FOR UNPAID FINES
Prohibits the motor vehicles commissioner from suspending a driver's license solely for
failing to pay any fines, fees, or charges associated with an infraction
§ 7 ― DRIVERS WEARING GLASSES WITH BIOPTIC LENSES
Requires the commissioner to issue driver’s licenses to people wearing glasses with bioptic
lenses if the applicant otherwise meets regulatory vision standards and license
requirements
§ 8 ― REPORT ON SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE FEES
Requires the motor vehicles commissioner to annually report certain information about
special license plates
§ 9 ― ORGAN DONOR CONSENT
Specifically requires certain license renewal applicants to indicate whether they consent to
be organ donors
§ 10 ― LIGHTS ON WRECKERS
Eliminates certain flashing light requirements for wreckers
§ 11 ― AUTOCYCLES
Broadens the definition of "autocycle" to potentially encompass additional types of three-
wheeled vehicles 2022HB-05366-R000392-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 2 4/11/22
§§ 12-14 ― VEHICLE REPAIR
Generally requires a repair shop to follow collision repair procedures, guidelines,
recommendations, or service bulletins issued by the original manufacturer as long as they
do not prohibit the use of recycled parts
§ 15 ― ACCESSIBLE PARKING PLACARD COU NCIL
Creates a 13-member advisory council to review policies and recommend best practices for
granting and using removeable windshield placards
§§ 16-18 ― SCHOOL BUS STOP MONITORING SYSTEMS
Establishes a $90 civil penalty for any person who is detected as passing a stopped school
bus by a stop arm camera
§ 1 ― VEHICLE TITLES
Reduces the requirements insurers must follow when applying for certain vehicle titles;
creates a process for titling abandoned vehicles at used car facilities after notifying owners
Application by Insurers
Existing law allows an insurance company to apply to the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a title certificate, salvage title,
or salvage parts-only title if the company is unable to obtain a vehicle’s
Connecticut-issued title from the insured or any lienholder of record
after taking possession following a full settlement of a damage or theft
claim. Under current law, the title application must be on a
commissioner-prescribed form and include documents she requires,
including satisfactory evidence that the insurance company:
1. provided at least two notices by certified mail, return receipt
requested, to the insured and any lienholder of record indicating
the company's intention to apply for a title as the vehicle owner
and
2. paid the insured or any lienholder in full settlement of the vehicle
claim.
The bill instead requires that the application include an attestation,
rather than documentation and satisfactory evidence as required by the
commissioner, that the insurance company provided notice to the
insured and lienholders. It also (1) reduces the number of required
notices that the insurer must provide to these entities from two to one
and (2) gives insurers the option of providing the notice by commercial
delivery service that provides evidence of delivery. 2022HB-05366-R000392-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 3 4/11/22
Vehicles Abandoned at Used Car Facilities
The bill establishes a process for titling abandoned vehicles at a used
car facility. Under the bill, if an insurance company requests that a
licensed used car dealer take possession of a vehicle that is subject to an
insurance claim and subsequently the company does not pay a total loss
claim for the vehicle, the dealer may apply to the DMV for a title
certificate in the dealer’s name without surrendering the vehicle's title
certificate. The dealer may do so for vehicles abandoned for more than
30 days.
The dealer's application must be (1) on a form the DMV
commissioner prescribes and (2) include an attestation that the dealer
provided at least two notices to the vehicle owner and any lienholder of
record to have the vehicle removed from the place of business. These
notices must be by certified mail, return receipt requested, or
commercial delivery service that provides evidence of proof of delivery.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§§ 2 & 3 ― EXTENSION FOR EMISSIONS REPAIRS
Requires the motor vehicles commissioner to waive emissions standards compliance for
vehicles needing additional time to make emissions-related repairs
With certain exceptions, the law generally prohibits vehicles subject
to emissions testing requirements from being operated on public roads
unless they comply with these requirements on a schedule determined
by the DMV commissioner (typically every two years). Under existing
law, the commissioner (1) must waive emissions standards compliance
for vehicles failing a required inspection and requiring an unreasonable
repair cost to become compliant and (2) may grant a one-time extension,
not to exceed the inspection period, for repairs in the case of an owner’s
economic hardship.
The bill additionally (1) requires the commissioner to waive
emissions standards compliance for vehicles needing additional time to
make emissions-related repairs and (2) allows her to grant a one-time
90-day extension to make emissions-related repairs. (It is unclear if the
waiver and extension are the same or are distinct.) As under current law, 2022HB-05366-R000392-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 4 4/11/22
the bill limits vehicles to one extension of time.
For vehicles that fail an emissions test, current law requires the DMV
commissioner to assess a $20 late fee if the vehicle is not retested within
60 days after the failed test. The bill extends this deadline to 90 days
after the failed test for vehicles granted an extension (presumably the
extension described above). As under current law, she may waive the
fee for exigent circumstances.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§ 4 ― VETERAN FEE WAIVERS
Extends license and registration fee waivers to any veteran within two years from their
date of separation
The bill extends mandatory fee waivers for one licensing period to
any veteran who applies for a driver’s license or registration, including
any renewal, within two years after their date of separation. Under
current law, only those veterans who were also legal state residents at
the time of their induction are eligible for these waivers.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§ 5 ― GRACE PERIOD FROM FINES OR LA TE FEES FOR ARMED
FORCES MEMBERS
Increases, from 60 to 90 days after release from qualifying service, the grace period for
armed forces members from certain fines or late fees
Existing law exempts armed forces members, and reserve members
called to active service, from paying fines or late fees for failing to renew
a driver's license or vehicle registration or obtain an emissions test. The
exemption applies during qualifying service and for a specified grace
period following their release from service, which is 60 days under
current law. The bill extends this grace period to 90 days following their
release from service.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§ 6 ― SUSPENSION FOR UNPAID FINES
Prohibits the motor vehicles commissioner from suspending a driver's license solely for
failing to pay any fines, fees, or charges associated with an infraction 2022HB-05366-R000392-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 5 4/11/22
Current law grants the DMV commissioner broad authority to
suspend or revoke a driver's license or vehicle registration for any cause
she deems sufficient (CGS § 14-111). The bill creates an exception to this
authority by prohibiting the commissioner from suspending a person’s
driver's license solely for failing to pay any fines, fees, or other charges
associated with a motor vehicle infraction. Under certain circumstances,
existing law requires undisposed infractions or violations to be
dismissed after seven years.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§ 7 ― DRIVERS WEARING GLASSES WITH BIOPTIC LENSES
Requires the commissioner to issue driver’s licenses to people wearing glasses with bioptic
lenses if the applicant otherwise meets regulatory vision standards and license
requirements
The bill requires the DMV commissioner to issue driver’s licenses to
people wearing glasses with bioptic lenses if the applicant otherwise
meets regulatory vision standards and license requirements. (By law,
the commissioner must adopt regulations specifying vision standards
that are necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle.) Generally, bioptic
lenses consist of miniature telescopic lenses mounted on top of
eyeglasses.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§ 8 ― REPORT ON SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE FEES
Requires the motor vehicles commissioner to annually report certain information about
special license plates
Existing law requires the head of each budgeted agency to submit an
annual report to the governor on the agency's activities in the previous
fiscal year. The bill requires the DMV commissioner to additionally
include in the department's report the following information for the
previous fiscal year: (1) the number of special license plates offered and
issued and (2) the amount of special license plate fees collected and the
accounts in which these fees were deposited.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 9 ― ORGAN DONOR CONSENT 2022HB-05366-R000392-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 6 4/11/22
Specifically requires certain license renewal applicants to indicate whether they consent to
be organ donors
The bill requires the DMV commissioner to require any person who
applies for a driver’s license or identity card, or who applies to renew a
license or ID card and did not previously consent to organ donation
through inclusion on the state donor registry, to indicate whether they
consent or decline registry inclusion. It prohibits the commissioner from
requiring a person to reaffirm consent if he or she is applying to renew a
license or card and has previously consented to registry inclusion.
Under current law, the commissioner must require any person applying
for a driver’s license or ID card to indicate whether they consent or decline
registry inclusion., but current law does not specifically address license
renewals.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§ 10 ― LIGHTS ON WRECKERS
Eliminates certain flashing light requirements for wreckers
The bill eliminates requirements in current law that wreckers be
equipped with two flashing yellow lights installed and mounted on the
truck that span its full width and are at least eight feet above the road
surface. It instead requires that wreckers be equipped with an
unspecified number of flashing yellow lights. As under existing law, the
lights must (1) continuously show in all directions, (2) be as close to the
back of the cab as practicable, and (3) be used when the wrecker is
towing a vehicle and at the scene of an accident or a disabled vehicle.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§ 11 ― AUTOCYCLES
Broadens the definition of "autocycle" to potentially encompass additional types of three-
wheeled vehicles
Existing law allows drivers to operate autocycles with a standard
“class D” license (i.e., without needing a motorcycle license
endorsement) (CGS § 14-36a). The law defines "autocycle," in part, as a
motorcycle with up to three wheels that has seat belts and partially or
fully enclosed seats in which occupants sit with their legs forward. 2022HB-05366-R000392-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 7 4/11/22
Current law additionally provides that an autocycle is designed to be
controlled with a steering wheel and foot pedals. The bill instead
provides that it is designed to be controlled with a steering mechanism,
rather than a steering wheel.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§§ 12-14 ― VEHICLE REPAIR
Generally requires a repair shop to follow collision repair procedures, guidelines,
recommendations, or service bulletins issued by the original manufacturer as long as they
do not prohibit the use of recycled parts
The bill requires repair shops, unless a customer requests otherwise,
to follow the collision repair procedures, guidelines, recommendations,
or service bulletins issued by the original equipment manufacturer
when repairing a vehicle, as long as they do not prohibit using recycled
parts. It allows shops to install a recycled part if it is of like kind and
quality of the part being replaced and is from the same model vehicle as
the one being repaired.
The bill explicitly prohibits a person or entity, other than the vehicle
owner, from requiring, requesting, encouraging, or causing a repair
shop to (1) repair the vehicle in an unsafe manner, as determined by the
shop or original vehicle manufacturer, or (2) install an aftermarket part.
It likewise explicitly requires the shop to repair a vehicle, in a manner
the shop determines, to ensure the vehicle’s safe operation and
reasonably mitigate its diminished value.
Under the bill, (1) each of these requirements applies to new and used
car dealers, repairers, limited repairers, and their agents or employees
and (2) violating them is an infraction.
By law and under the bill, a “recycled part” is one that was made for
and installed in a new vehicle by the manufacturer or the original
equipment manufacturer and later removed from the vehicle and made
available for resale or reuse. An “aftermarket part” is a part that was
made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original
equipment manufacturer (CGS § 14-53a(b)). 2022HB-05366-R000392-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 8 4/11/22
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
§ 15 ― ACCESSIBLE PARKING PLACARD COUNCIL
Creates a 13-member advisory council to review policies and recommend best practices for
granting and using removeable windshield placards
The bill establishes a 13-member Removeable Windshield Placard
Advisory Council within DMV for administrative purposes only. It
directs the council to (1) review the laws in other states concerning the
issuance and use of removable windshield placards for persons who are
blind and persons with disabilities; (2) recommend best practices to the
DMV commissioner for clear and concise policies and regulations
regarding placard issuance and use by law; and (3) make educational
materials available to medical professionals, law enforcement officers
and the general public regarding the proper issuance and use of these
placards.
Under the bill, the council consists of seven gubernatorial appointees
and six legislative appointees (one by each of the leaders), with the
chairperson designated by the governor from among the members. All
initial appointments to the council must be made by October 1, 2022,
with members serving two-year terms without compensation. Any
vacancy must be filled for the remainder of the term in the same manner
as the original appointment.
The bill requires the council to meet at least annually and at other
times as the chairperson deems necessary or upon the request of a
majority of its members. Beginning by January 1, 2023, the council must
annually submit a report on its activities and any recommendations to
the governor and the Transportation Committee.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§§ 16-18 ― SCHOOL BUS STOP MONITORING SYSTEMS
Establishes a $90 civil penalty for any person who is detected as passing a stopped school
bus by a stop arm camera
The law allows municipalities and local boards of education to install,
operate, and maintain “live digital video school bus violation detection
monitoring systems” (i.e., stop arm cameras) on school buses, or to enter 2022HB-05366-R000392-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 9 4/11/22
into contracts with private vendors to do so (CGS § 14-279a). The
cameras detect and record drivers who fail to stop for school buses.
The bill establishes a $90 civil penalty for any violation detected by a
monitoring system. It replaces provisions in current law that make
violators detected by a monitoring system subject to the same penalties
as violations witnessed by a bus driver or police officer (i.e., a $450 fine
for a first offense and a $500-$1,000 fine, 30-days imprisonment, or both,
for subsequent offenses). In doing so, it limits the existing higher
penalties to violations witnessed by a bus driver or police officer.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 27 Nay 8 (03/24/2022)