HB 631 Summary

• Amends Section 286-136 to allow courts to consider a person's financial circumstances when assessing penalties for traffic violations, and permits courts to modify fines, extend payment periods, or convert fines to community service if nonpayment is not willful.

• Modifies Section 291D-9 to require courts to consider a person's financial circumstances when determining monetary assessments for traffic infractions, and allows individuals to request modifications to assessments if their financial circumstances change.

• Amends Section 431:10C-117 to add provisions allowing persons who fail to timely pay fines for uninsured motor vehicle violations to petition the court to demonstrate inability to pay, with courts authorized to grant payment extensions, reduce installments, revoke fines, or convert fines to community service.

• Changes the imprisonment-to-fine ratio for contumacious nonpayment from $25 per day to $250 per day under Section 706-644, reducing the maximum term of imprisonment for nonpayment of fines.

• Takes effect upon approval and does not affect rights, penalties, or proceedings that began before the effective date.