Senate Bill No. 1284, also known as Public Act No. 25-80, establishes new regulations regarding the illegal use of certain vehicles and street takeovers, effective July 1, 2025. The bill empowers municipalities to regulate the operation of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and mini-motorcycles, including the authority to impose penalties for violations. A structured penalty system is introduced, with escalating fines for repeat offenses and provisions for the seizure and forfeiture of vehicles involved in violations. Importantly, the bill protects vehicle owners or lienholders from forfeiture if they were unaware of the illegal use, provided they reclaim the vehicle within ninety days of notification. Additionally, municipalities are granted the authority to prohibit street takeovers, with similar penalties and the potential for vehicle impoundment until fines are settled.

The bill also amends existing laws related to the suspension of motor vehicle operator's licenses for individuals under eighteen, establishing specific suspension periods for various violations. For instance, a first violation of certain subsections will result in a suspension of at least ninety days, while subsequent violations will lead to a five-year suspension. The bill categorizes penalties for violations of section 14-224 into different classes of misdemeanors and felonies, with significant fines imposed for certain offenses. Furthermore, it introduces new legal language allowing municipalities to impose penalties of up to two thousand dollars for violations of local ordinances, provided they have established appropriate procedures. The bill removes the phrase "and the health code" from the list of exceptions to these penalties, thereby enhancing local governance and compliance with municipal regulations.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 14-390, 14-390m
JUD Joint Favorable: 14-390, 14-390m
File No. 732: 14-390, 14-390m
File No. 981: 14-390, 14-390m
Public Act No. 25-80: 14-390, 14-390m