Senate Bill No. 1185 proposes to increase the maximum penalty that municipalities can impose for violations of their regulations and ordinances from $250 to $500. This change applies to penalties set under the general municipal powers law (CGS § 7-148). The bill maintains that certain ordinances and regulations may still be subject to other specific statutory caps, such as those related to rental properties, dirt bikes, blight, and cannabis. The new penalty structure is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

The bill also outlines the enforcement process for these regulations, allowing designated municipal officers or employees to issue citations for violations, provided that a written warning is given prior to the citation, except in cases involving dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, or mini-motorcycles where no warning is required. The potential revenue gain from this increase in penalties could benefit both the state and municipalities, as evidenced by the recorded charges and revenue collected in previous fiscal years.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-148
PD Joint Favorable Change of Reference: 7-148
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 7-148
File No. 731: 7-148