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 is applicable to violations under the general municipal powers law (CGS § 7-148) and will take effect on October 1, 2025. The bill maintains that certain ordinances and regulations may still be subject to specific statutory caps, such as those related to rental properties, dirt bikes, blight, and cannabis.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that municipalities can enforce these regulations through citations issued by designated officers or employees, provided that a written warning is given prior to the citation, except for violations concerning the operation of dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, or mini-motorcycles, which do not require a warning. The potential revenue gain from this increase in penalties is expected to benefit both the state and municipalities, as evidenced by previous collections of $51,810 from 3,357 recorded charges in FY 24.

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