SB280 Summary

• Municipalities may adopt municipal ordinances establishing civil parking violation enforcement procedures, including issuing parking tickets and conducting administrative adjudications in municipal court.

• Civil fines for parking violations cannot exceed $100, except handicap parking violations with a $100 minimum; municipal court costs in contested cases capped at $100 and retained by municipality.

• Vehicle owners are presumptively liable for parking violations but may contest liability at administrative hearings where the municipality must prove the violation by preponderance of evidence; affirmative defenses include stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, or prior ownership transfer.

• Municipalities may immobilize or impound vehicles when owners have three or more unpaid past-due parking tickets; immobilization removal fees capped at $65 and impounded vehicles may be sold at public auction if not released within 21 days.

• Appeals from municipal court findings may be filed with the circuit court within 14 days for de novo trials without juries; vehicle owners who pay fines may sue the actual operator for reimbursement plus attorney fees and damages.