Senate Bill No. 1284 seeks to strengthen regulations regarding the illegal use of specific vehicles, including snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt bikes, and mini-motorcycles, while also addressing the issue of street takeovers. The bill empowers municipalities to create ordinances that impose penalties for violations, with fines ranging from $1,000 for first offenses to $2,000 for subsequent offenses. It introduces provisions for the seizure and forfeiture of vehicles used in violation of these ordinances, allowing municipalities to destroy forfeited vehicles instead of selling them at auction, which marks a significant change from current law. Additionally, the bill establishes a 30-day window for owners or lienholders to retrieve their vehicles before forfeiture occurs and mandates that violations be processed through the Centralized Infractions Bureau unless alternative procedures are established by the municipality.

Moreover, the bill modifies existing penalties related to motor vehicle operator's license suspensions, particularly for individuals under eighteen who commit specific traffic violations, with suspensions increasing in duration for repeat offenses. It also introduces a new penalty for individuals convicted of a second or subsequent violation of section 14-36, resulting in a 90-day suspension of their driving privileges. The bill repeals subsection (b) of section 51-164n and replaces it with broader language that outlines consequences for a range of violations, thereby expanding the scope of offenses subject to legal repercussions. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025, aiming to enhance local authority in managing vehicle-related offenses and improve public safety.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 14-390, 14-390m
JUD Joint Favorable: 14-390, 14-390m
File No. 732: 14-390, 14-390m