HB 725 Summary

• Authorizes the governor and county mayors to establish emergency period infractions (non-criminal violations) in addition to misdemeanor offenses during emergency declarations under chapter 127A.

• Creates a new civil adjudication process for emergency period infractions modeled on traffic violation procedures, allowing resolution through payment, written submission, or simplified hearings without requiring law enforcement officer presence.

• Establishes monetary assessments of $50 to $500 per infraction (amount set by emergency order), plus potential administrative costs of $20 per violation and late payment penalties.

• Eliminates court arraignments for many infractions and allows defendants to admit, contest, or request mitigation hearings by mail, internet, or telephone to reduce court burden.

• Appropriates $40,000 to the judiciary for fiscal year 2021-2022 to process and adjudicate emergency rule infractions.