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HB 7161 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION OF MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS' LICENSES FOR FAILURE TO PAY FINES OR FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR A SCHEDULED COURT APPEARANCE AND PAYMENT INSTALLMENT PLANS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE INFRACTIONS AND VIOLATIONS.

HB 7161 prevents driver's license suspensions solely for unpaid traffic fines or missed court appearances, except for moving violations after a third conviction within three years or three failed installment payments. The bill creates a Centralized Infractions Bureau to handle payments and pleas for traffic violations, replacing current processes. It directly affects drivers cited for traffic infractions who haven’t paid fines or attended court. Key provisions include requiring payment plans for non-moving violations and prohibiting suspensions for non-payment unless specific prior violations exist. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents license suspensions for unpaid traffic fines/missed court appearances (except moving violations after 3rd conviction), reducing punitive barriers for minor offenses and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2025 Last action May 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → TRA Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to change its title and effective date, expand the list of traffic violations that can lead to license suspension, and add new restrictions on when the commissioner can suspend licenses for non-payment or missed court appearances. The changes clarify that suspensions are limited to moving violations or repeat offenders, and they update the effective date from October 2025 to January 2026.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include additional motor vehicle violations and clarified the conditions under which license suspensions can occur for non-payment or missed court appearances.
TIMELINE

The effective date of the bill was changed from October 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'moving violation' was updated to include additional traffic violation codes, specifically adding section 14-283b, 14-300d, and 14-300f.

ELIGIBILITY

New conditions were added to limit when the commissioner can suspend a license for failure to pay fines or appear in court. Suspensions are now restricted to moving violations, or cases where the person has been convicted of a third infraction/violation within three years, or has failed to make a timely payment for the third time under an installment plan.

ENFORCEMENT

A new provision was added stating that the commissioner cannot suspend a license solely for failure to appear for a scheduled court appearance regarding motor vehicle infractions or violations, unless it is a moving violation.

REQUIREMENT

The bill was reclassified from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with a new title that more accurately reflects the inclusion of payment installment plans for motor vehicle infractions and violations.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
3
Committee
4
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Transportation
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.