This bill amends current law to allow drivers who plead guilty or nolo contendere to certain driving violations to request an extension of the payment period for fines from 30 days to 90 days. The new legal language specifies that drivers can submit their plea and payment either in-person, by mail, or online, and outlines the conditions under which the extended payment period applies. Specifically, if a driver has no outstanding motor vehicle violations or unpaid fines, they can request a 90-day payment period; otherwise, the original 30-day period remains in effect. Additionally, the bill introduces a provision allowing for a second 90-day extension request if needed, which must be made within the last 30 days of the initial extension.

The bill also includes several insertions to clarify the process for pleading and paying fines, such as the ability to submit payments online and the requirement for the Division of Motor Vehicles to adopt rules regarding the extension requests. The fiscal impact of the bill indicates that while there are no expected revenue changes, there will be an estimated one-time expenditure of $36,000 in FY 2026 for necessary software updates to implement these changes. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 262:44
As Amended by the House: 262:44