HB 725 Summary

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

• Creates a new expedited adjudication process for emergency period infractions modeled after traffic infraction procedures, eliminating court arraignments and allowing resolution through mail-in payment or simplified hearings.

• Sets monetary assessments for emergency period infractions at $50 to $500 per infraction, with specific amounts established in the emergency proclamation or order.

• Establishes procedural rules allowing courts to hear infraction cases without law enforcement officers present and permitting defendants to contest violations or request mitigation hearings without requiring prosecuting attorney participation.

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