SB20-070 Summary

• Increases presumptive fine ranges for traffic misdemeanors (minimum $300-$900, maximum $900-$3,000) and traffic infractions (minimum $45-$100, maximum $300) and raises specific fines and surcharges across numerous traffic violation categories.

• Requires 25% of fines collected from traffic misdemeanor citations and 50% of fines from traffic infraction citations be transmitted to the county where the violation occurred for traffic safety improvements, enforcement, prosecution, or other constitutional uses.

• Reclassifies driving without a valid license or with incorrect license class from class 2 misdemeanor to class A traffic infraction.

• Reclassifies first violations of operating a motor vehicle without insurance from class 1 misdemeanor to class A traffic infraction with $500 fine (reducible to $250 if insurance obtained); maintains class 1 misdemeanor status with $1,000 non-reducible fine for second or subsequent violations within 5 years.

• Takes effect September 1, 2020, subject to referendum petition requirement; applies to offenses occurring on or after the effective date.