File No. 398

House of Representatives, April 1, 2009

The Committee on Transportation reported through REP. GUERRERA of the 29th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION, MOTOR VEHICLES, HIGHWAY SAFETY AND SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION FUND.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2009) (a) On and after July 1, 2009, the holder of a motor vehicle operator's license who accumulates seven or more points on his or her driving record for motor vehicle violations shall be assessed an annual driver responsibility fee of one hundred dollars for two consecutive years. For each additional point accumulated above seven points an additional annual fee of fifty dollars shall be assessed. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall collect the fees described in this subsection.

(b) In addition to the fees assessed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, any person, whether or not such person is a licensed motor vehicle operator, found guilty of any offense listed in this subsection shall be assessed, by the commissioner, an annual driver responsibility fee of one thousand dollars for two consecutive years:

(1) Manslaughter, negligent homicide or a felony resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;

(2) Driving while impaired in violation of subsection (b) of section 14-227a of the general statutes;

(3) Failing to stop and disclose identity at the scene of an accident when required by law; or

(4) Fleeing or eluding an officer.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall send a notice of the driver responsibility assessment, as prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) of this section, to the individual by regular mail to the address on the records of said commissioner. If payment is not received within thirty days after the notice is mailed, the commissioner shall send a second notice that indicates that, if payment is not received within the next thirty days, the driver's driving privileges will be suspended.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may authorize payment by installment for an amount of five hundred dollars or more for a period not to exceed twelve months.

(e) If payment is not received or an installment plan is not established after the time limit required by the second notice prescribed under subsection (c) of this section expires, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the driving privileges until the assessment and any other fees prescribed under this section are paid.

(f) A fee shall not be assessed under this section for seven points or more on a driving record on July 1, 2009. Points assigned after said date shall be assessed as prescribed under subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

Sec. 2. Section 14-270 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) The Commissioner of Transportation or other authority having charge of the repair or maintenance of any highway or bridge is authorized to grant permits for transporting vehicles or combinations of vehicles or vehicles and load, or other objects not conforming to the provisions of sections 14-98, 14-262, 14-264, 14-267a and 14-269 but, in the case of motor vehicles, only the Commissioner of Transportation shall be authorized to issue such permits. Such permits shall be written, and may limit the highways or bridges which may be used, the time of such use and the maximum rate of speed at which such vehicles or objects may be operated, and may contain any other condition considered necessary by the authority granting the same, provided the Department of Transportation shall not suffer any loss of revenue granted or to be granted from any agency or department of the federal government for the federal interstate highway system or any other highway system.

(b) Any permit issued in respect to any vehicle or combination of vehicles or vehicle and trailer on account of its excessive weight shall be limited to the gross weight shown or to be shown on the registration certificate. A permit granted under this section for a vehicle or load, greater than twelve feet, but no greater than thirteen feet six inches in width and traveling on undivided highways, shall require a single escort motor vehicle to precede such vehicle or load. No escort motor vehicle shall be required to follow such vehicle or load on such highways.

(c) Any permit issued under this section or a legible copy or facsimile shall be retained in the possession of the operator of the vehicle or combination of vehicles or vehicle and trailer for which such permit was issued, except that an electronic confirmation of the existence of such permit or the use of the special number plates described in section 14-24 and any regulations adopted thereunder shall be sufficient to fulfill the requirements of this section.

(d) (1) The owner or lessee of any vehicle may pay either a nonrefundable fee of [twenty-three] thirty dollars for each permit issued for such vehicle under this section or a fee as described in subdivision [(3)] (7) of this subsection for such vehicle, payable to the Department of Transportation.

(2) A fifty-dollar engineering fee will be assessed to any single unit vehicle that exceeds any of the following gross weight limits: One hundred ten thousand pounds on four axles, one hundred fourteen thousand five hundred pounds on five axles or one hundred fifteen thousand pounds on six axles when routing requires such vehicle to traverse a structure with a nonposted limit.

(3) A one-hundred-dollar engineering fee will be assessed to any vehicle combination for: (A) An overweight permit request for a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of more than one hundred sixty thousand pounds and less than two hundred thousand pounds; or (B) an oversize permit request for a vehicle with a height or width in excess of fifteen feet or an overall length in excess of one hundred forty feet.

(4) (A) A two-hundred-dollar engineering fee will be assessed to any vehicle combination weighing two hundred thousand pounds or more and less than five hundred thousand pounds.

(B) A five-hundred-dollar engineering fee will be assessed to any vehicle combination weighing five hundred thousand pounds or more.

(5) Vehicles required to pay an engineering fee are authorized to use approved routing for a six-month period, as long as the vehicle configuration or routing is not changed.

[(2)] (6) An additional transmittal fee of [three] five dollars shall be charged for each permit issued under this section and transmitted via [transceiver or facsimile] electronic equipment.

[(3)] (7) The commissioner may issue an annual permit for any vehicle transporting (A) a divisible load, (B) an overweight or oversized-overweight indivisible load, or (C) an oversize indivisible load. The owner or lessee shall pay an annual fee of [seven] nine dollars per thousand pounds or fraction thereof for each such vehicle. A permit may be issued in any increment up to one year, provided the owner or lessee shall pay a fee of [one-tenth of the annual fee] one hundred dollars for such vehicle for each month or fraction thereof.

[(4)] (8) The annual permit fee for any vehicle transporting an oversize indivisible load shall not be less than [five hundred] six hundred fifty dollars.

(9) Such fees are payable to the Department of Transportation and are not prorated, transferable or refundable.

[(5)] (10) The commissioner may issue permits for divisible loads in the aggregate not exceeding fifty-three feet in length.

(e) The Commissioner of Transportation shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 prescribing standards for issuance of permits for vehicles with divisible or indivisible loads not conforming to the provisions of section 14-267a.

(f) The provisions of subsection (d) of this section shall not apply to the federal government, the state, municipalities or fire departments.

(g) Any person who violates the provisions of any permit issued under this section or fails to obtain such a permit, when operating a commercial motor vehicle under the provisions of section 14-163c, shall be subject to the following penalties:

(1) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section that exceeds the weight specified in such permit shall be subject to a penalty calculated by subtracting the permitted weight from the actual vehicle weight and the rate of the fine shall be fifteen dollars per one hundred pounds or fraction thereof of such excess weight;

(2) A person who fails to obtain a permit issued under section 14-262 or 14-264 and who is operating a vehicle at a weight that exceeds the statutory limit for weight shall be subject to a penalty calculated by subtracting the statutory limit for weight from the actual vehicle weight and the rate of the fine shall be fifteen dollars per one hundred pounds or fraction thereof of such excess weight;

(3) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section that exceeds the length specified in such permit shall be subject to a minimum fine of three hundred dollars;

(4) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section that exceeds the width specified in such permit shall be subject to a minimum fine of three hundred dollars;

(5) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section that exceeds the height specified in such permit shall be subject to a minimum fine of one thousand dollars;

(6) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section on routes not specified in such permit, shall be fined (A) one thousand five hundred dollars for each violation of the statutory limit for length, width, height or weight, and (B) shall be subject to a penalty calculated by subtracting the statutory weight limit of subsection (b) of section 14-267a from the actual vehicle weight and such weight difference shall be fined at the rate provided for in subparagraph (G) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of section 14-267a; or

(7) A person (A) operating a vehicle with an indivisible load and violating one or more of the provisions of subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection shall be required to obtain a permit, or (B) operating a vehicle with a divisible load and violating one or more of the provisions of subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection shall be required to be off loaded to the permit limit.

(h) (1) If the origin, destination, load description, tractor registration, trailer registration, hours of travel, number of escorts, signs or flags of a vehicle with a permit issued under this section differ from those stated on such permit or required by regulations adopted pursuant to this section, a minimum fine of two hundred dollars shall be assessed for each such violation.

(2) If the days of travel of a vehicle with a permit issued under this section differ from those stated on such permit or the vehicle is operated under a false or fraudulent permit, a minimum fine of one thousand five hundred dollars shall be assessed for such violation in addition to any other penalties assessed.

Sec. 3. Section 1-1h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) Any person who does not possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license may apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles for an identity card. The application for an identity card shall be accompanied by the birth certificate of the applicant or a certificate of identification of the applicant issued and authorized for such use by the Department of Correction. Such application shall include: (1) The applicant's name; (2) the applicant's address; (3) whether the address is permanent or temporary; (4) the applicant's date of birth; (5) notice to the applicant that false statements on such application are punishable under section 53a-157b; and (6) such other pertinent information as the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles deems necessary. A fee of [twenty-two dollars and fifty cents] twenty-nine dollars shall be paid to the department upon issuance to the applicant of an identity card which contains a picture of the applicant and specifies the applicant's height, sex and eye color. The applicant shall sign the application in the presence of an official of the department. The commissioner may waive the fee for any applicant who has voluntarily surrendered such applicant's motor vehicle operator's license or whose license has been refused by the commissioner pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (e) of section 14-36. The commissioner may waive the fee for any applicant who is a resident of a homeless shelter or other facility for homeless persons. The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish the procedure and qualifications for the issuance of an identity card to any such homeless applicant.

(b) An identity card shall expire within a period not exceeding six years from the date of issuance of such card. Each such card shall indicate its date of expiration. Any person who holds an identity card shall be notified by the commissioner before its expiration and may renew such card in such manner as the commissioner shall prescribe upon payment of a fee of [twenty-two dollars and fifty cents] twenty-nine dollars.

(c) A distinctive identity card shall be issued to any applicant less than twenty-one years of age. The identity card shall contain a statement that it is issued subject to the same verification of the applicant's identity as required for the issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license. The card may thereafter be exhibited to establish the age and identity of the person to whom it was issued.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Liquor Control Commission, shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to carry out the purposes of this section and section 30-86.

(e) Any person who misrepresents his age or practices any other deceit in the procurement of an identity card, or uses or exhibits an identity card belonging to any other person, shall be fined not more than fifty dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both.

Sec. 4. Section 14-12g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) When a private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance policy has been cancelled and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that the owner of a registered motor vehicle is in violation of the mandatory security requirements of sections 14-12c and 38a-371, the commissioner shall issue to such owner a notice of suspension of the registration involved, provided the commissioner may decline to issue such notice if the registration of the motor vehicle is cancelled or if the commissioner cannot establish that such violation occurred for a period of more than fourteen days.

(b) If a registered owner to whom notice of suspension was issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section does not contest the determination that he or she has failed to maintain mandatory security, the commissioner may enter into a consent agreement with the owner, provided the owner presents satisfactory evidence of mandatory security and pays a civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars. The consent agreement shall provide that the registration of the motor vehicle shall not be suspended, or that any suspension imposed previously, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, shall be rescinded, unless (1) the commissioner determines that on or after the effective date of the consent agreement the owner failed to continuously maintain the required security, and (2) the owner cannot establish to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the owner continuously maintained the required security after said effective date. Such consent agreement shall not operate to prevent the commissioner from cancelling, suspending or revoking a registration pursuant to any other provision of the general statutes.

(c) The commissioner may suspend the motor vehicle operator's license of any person whose registration has been suspended in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, or section 14-12c and who, not later than thirty days after the date of such suspension, has not entered into a consent agreement, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, cancelled the registration or transferred ownership of the motor vehicle. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner to suspend his license under this subsection shall, prior to the effective date of such suspension, be afforded an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

Sec. 5. Section 14-12s of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

For the registration of each motor vehicle that has passed an inspection in accordance with the requirements of subsection (g) of section 14-12 or section 14-16a or that has passed an inspection of its manufacturer's vehicle identification number, the commissioner shall charge an administrative fee of [ten] fifteen dollars, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for such registration.

Sec. 6. Section 14-16 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) A motor vehicle registration expires upon transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle. The person in whose name the motor vehicle is registered shall return to the commissioner, within twenty-four hours of the motor vehicle's transfer, the certificate of registration, the number plate or plates issued for the vehicle together with a written notice, subject to the penalties of false statement, containing the date that ownership of the vehicle was transferred and the name, residence and post-office address of the owner. The following statement shall appear directly above the space provided for the signature of the person filing the form: "I declare under the penalties of false statement that this notice has been examined by me and to the best of my knowledge and belief is complete, and the statements made herein are true and correct."

(b) If a motor vehicle is owned by one owner who is a natural person, such owner may designate, in writing in a space provided on the certificate of registration for such motor vehicle, a beneficiary who shall assume ownership of such motor vehicle after the death of the owner and upon the making of an application pursuant to this subsection. The owner making such designation shall have all rights of ownership of such motor vehicle during the owner's life and the beneficiary shall have no rights in such motor vehicle until such time as the owner dies and an application is made pursuant to this subsection. Not later than sixty days after the death of the owner, the beneficiary may make application to the commissioner for the issuance of a certificate of title and a certificate of registration for such motor vehicle in the beneficiary's name. Such application shall be accompanied by: (1) The original certificate of registration in which the beneficiary is designated pursuant to this subsection; (2) a death certificate for the deceased owner; (3) such proof of the beneficiary's identity as the commissioner may require; (4) the transfer fee required by subsection (c) of this section; and (5) any applicable fees for registration, title and number plates as required under this chapter and chapter 247. If the beneficiary fails to make such application within the time period specified in this subsection, the beneficiary shall have no right to obtain ownership of and title to such motor vehicle under this subsection after the expiration of such time period. The right of the beneficiary to obtain ownership of and title to such motor vehicle under this subsection shall be subordinate to the rights of each lienholder whose security interest in such motor vehicle is duly recorded pursuant to chapter 247. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(c) If the owner of a registered motor vehicle dies, the registration for the vehicle shall, unless the vehicle is destroyed, continue in force as a valid registration until the end of the registration period unless: (1) Ownership of the vehicle is transferred pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or by the deceased owner's executor, administrator, legatee or distributee prior to the end of the registration period, in which case the registration shall continue in force until the time of the transfer; or (2) ownership of the vehicle is transferred to the brother, sister, father, mother, child or spouse of the owner, in which case the registration shall, upon the payment of a fee of [twenty] twenty-five dollars, continue in force until the end of the registration period or until the ownership is sooner transferred to a person other than such a relative. If at the end of the registration period the relative has not transferred ownership of the vehicle and the relative applies for registration of the vehicle, the registration shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of section 12-71b.

(d) If a motor vehicle is transferred in connection with the organization, reorganization or dissolution, or because of the partial liquidation, of an incorporated or unincorporated business in which gain or loss to the transferor is not recognized for federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations and rulings issued thereunder, the registration of the vehicle shall, upon the payment of a fee of [twenty] twenty-five dollars, continue in force until the end of the registration period or until the registration is sooner transferred to anyone outside the original business organization. If the transferee of the motor vehicle has not transferred ownership of the motor vehicle to anyone outside the original business organization at the end of the registration period and the transferee applies for a registration for the vehicle, the registration shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of section 12-71b.

(e) A person who transfers ownership of a registered motor vehicle to another may have registered in his name, upon the filing of a new application and the payment of the fee required by subsection (i) of section 14-49, as amended by this act, another motor vehicle for the remainder of the registration period if the gross weight of the other motor vehicle is the same or less than that of the transferred motor vehicle and the registration of the transferred motor vehicle has been surrendered. If the gross weight of the other motor vehicle is greater than the gross weight of the motor vehicle the registration of which has been surrendered, the applicant shall pay, in addition to such fee, the difference between the fee paid by him for the surrendered registration and the fee for the registration of the motor vehicle of greater gross weight. The minimum fee for any such transfer shall be [twenty] twenty-five dollars.

(f) Any person may transfer an unexpired registration of a motor vehicle such person owns or leases for a period of one year or more, to another motor vehicle owned or so leased by such person upon payment of the fee required by subsection (i) of section 14-49, as amended by this act. Any person transferring such a leased motor vehicle shall provide the commissioner with evidence that the lessor has granted permission for such transfer. If a transfer is made to a motor vehicle of greater gross weight or from one class of registration to another, credit shall be given toward the new registration in accordance with schedules established by the commissioner. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(g) Any person who sells any motor vehicle, other than a new motor vehicle, for which a certificate of title has not been issued and which is not registered under the provisions of subsections (e) or (g) of section 14-12, shall, within forty-eight hours of the sale, certify under oath to the commissioner, on blanks provided by him, such information as the commissioner may require. Until the commissioner receives the certification under oath required by this subsection, he shall not issue a registration other than for a new motor vehicle and shall not renew a registration other than for the same owner.

(h) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to the penalty provided for false statement. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (g) of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction, and, for a subsequent offense, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

Sec. 7. Section 14-41 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) Except as provided in section 14-41a, each motor vehicle operator's license shall be renewed every six years or every four years on the date of the operator's birthday in accordance with a schedule to be established by the commissioner. On and after July 1, [2009] 2011, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall screen the vision of each motor vehicle operator prior to every other renewal of the operator's license of such operator in accordance with a schedule adopted by the commissioner. Such screening requirement shall apply to every other renewal following the initial screening. In lieu of the vision screening by the commissioner, such operator may submit the results of a vision screening conducted by a licensed health care professional qualified to conduct such screening on a form prescribed by the commissioner during the twelve months preceding such renewal. No motor vehicle operator's license may be renewed unless the operator passes such vision screening. The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection related to the administration of vision screening.

(b) An original operator's license shall expire within a period not exceeding six years following the date of the operator's next birthday. The fee for such original license shall be computed at the rate of [forty-four] fifty-two dollars for a four-year license, [sixty-six] seventy-eight dollars for a six-year license and [eleven] thirteen dollars per year for any part of a year thereof. The commissioner may authorize an automobile club or association, licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-67 on or before July 1, 2007, to perform license renewals at its office facilities. The commissioner may authorize such automobile clubs or associations to charge a convenience fee, which shall not exceed two dollars, to each applicant for renewal.

(c) The commissioner shall, at least fifteen days before the date on which each motor vehicle operator's license expires, notify the operator of the expiration date. Any previously licensed operator who operates a motor vehicle within sixty days after the expiration date of the operator's license without obtaining a renewal of the license shall be deemed to have failed to renew a motor vehicle operator's license and shall be fined in accordance with the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license. Any operator so charged shall not be prosecuted under section 14-36 for the same act constituting a violation under this section but section 14-36 shall apply after the sixty-day period.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-3a, if the expiration date of any motor vehicle operator's license or any public passenger transportation permit falls on any day when offices of the commissioner are closed for business or are open for less than a full business day, the license or permit shall be deemed valid until midnight of the next day on which offices of the commissioner are open for a full day of business.

Sec. 8. Section 14-44h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) Each commercial driver's license shall be renewed quadrennially on the date of the operator's birthday. On and after September 1, 2005, each applicant shall, at the time of the first renewal such commercial driver's license, provide the names of all states in which the applicant ever has been issued a motor vehicle operator's license. If the applicant has held a license in another state at any time during the preceding ten years, the commissioner shall request the driving history record or records from the state or states in which the applicant has been licensed. If the commissioner receives a request for a driving history record from another state regarding the holder of a commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall provide such record within thirty days, as required by the provisions of 49 CFR 384.206, as amended.

(b) A commercial driver's license shall expire within a period not exceeding four years following the date of the operator's next birthday. The fee for such original license shall be computed at the rate of [fifteen] nineteen dollars per year or any part thereof.

(c) The commissioner shall, at least fifteen days before the date on which each commercial driver's license expires, notify the operator of the expiration date. Any previously licensed operator who operates a commercial motor vehicle within sixty days after the expiration date of such operator license without obtaining a renewal of such license shall be deemed to have failed to renew a motor vehicle operator's license and shall be fined in accordance with the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license. Any operator so charged shall not be prosecuted under section 14-36 for the same act constituting a violation under this section but said section 14-36 shall apply after the sixty-day period.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-3a, if the expiration date of any commercial driver's license falls on any day when offices of the commissioner are closed for business or are open for less than a full business day, the license shall be deemed valid until midnight of the next day on which offices of the commissioner are open for a full day of business.

Sec. 9. Section 14-47 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) The commissioner shall determine the gross weight of each motor vehicle which is eligible for commercial registration, including each tractor equipped with rubber tires and, for the purpose of computing fees, gross weight shall be the weight of the vehicle in pounds plus the rated load capacity in pounds as determined by the commissioner, provided, in the case of a tractor restricted for use with a trailer, registered as a heavy duty trailer, the fee shall be based on the gross weight of the tractor which shall be the light weight of such tractor; and said commissioner shall collect fees for registration based on such gross weight, as follows: When all surfaces in contact with the ground are equipped with pneumatic tires, the fee for such motor vehicle or tractor of gross weight not exceeding twenty thousand pounds shall be one dollar and sixteen cents, for each one hundred pounds or fraction thereof; from twenty thousand and one pounds up to and including thirty thousand pounds, one dollar and forty-two cents, for each one hundred pounds or fraction thereof; from thirty thousand and one pounds up to and including seventy-three thousand pounds, one dollar and seventy-seven cents, for each one hundred pounds or fraction thereof; from seventy-three thousand and one pounds and over, one dollar and ninety-two cents, for each one hundred pounds or fraction thereof. In addition to any other fee required under this subsection, a fee of [ten] thirty dollars shall be collected for the registration of each motor vehicle subject to this subsection.

(b) The minimum fee for any commercial registration or registration of a tractor equipped with pneumatic tires shall be [forty-four] sixty-four dollars.

(c) For the registration of each motor vehicle classed as an artesian well driller or well drilling equipment, however mounted, when equipped with rubber tires, the fee shall be [forty] sixty-six dollars per annum whether the license is issued for the license year or only a portion thereof. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be forty-six dollars.]

(d) For the registration of a motor vehicle equipped with a wood saw rig, if it is used for that purpose only, or a motor vehicle equipped with a spray rig used exclusively for spraying fruit trees or shrubs, when equipped with rubber tires, the fee shall be [twenty-two] forty-five dollars per annum whether the license is issued for the license year or only a portion thereof. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be twenty-five dollars.]

(e) For all other motor vehicles which are eligible for commercial registration, including tractors equipped with rubber tires other than pneumatic tires, the fee shall be, for each such vehicle or tractor of gross weight (1) not exceeding twenty thousand pounds, one dollar and fifty cents, and on and after July 1, 1992, one dollar and seventy-five cents, for each one hundred pounds or fraction thereof, and (2) from twenty thousand and one pounds up to and including twenty-six thousand pounds, two dollars, and on and after July 1, 1992, two dollars and twenty-five cents, for each one hundred pounds or fraction thereof. The minimum fee for any such motor vehicle or tractor shall be [fifty] seventy-six dollars. [On and after July 1, 1992, the minimum fee shall be fifty-six dollars.]

Sec. 10. Section 14-49 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) For the registration of each passenger motor vehicle, other than an electric motor vehicle, the fee shall be [seventy-five] eighty-five dollars every two years, provided any individual who is sixty-five years of age or older on or after January 1, 1981, may, at his discretion, renew the registration of such passenger motor vehicle owned by him for either a one-year or two-year period. The fee for one year shall be [thirty-eight] forty-three dollars, and the fee for two years shall be [seventy-five] eighty-five dollars; provided the biennial fee for any motor vehicle for which special license plates have been issued under the provisions of section 14-20 shall be [seventy-five] eighty-five dollars. The provisions of this subsection relative to the biennial fee charged for the registration of each antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle for which special license plates have been issued under section 14-20 shall not apply to an antique fire apparatus or transit bus owned by a nonprofit organization and maintained primarily for use in parades, exhibitions or other public events but not for purposes of general transportation.

(b) (1) For the registration of each motorcycle, the biennial fee shall be [forty] fifty dollars, subject to the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection. For the registration of each motorcycle with side car or box attached used for commercial purposes, the biennial fee shall be [fifty-six] sixty-six dollars. The commissioner may register a motorcycle with a side car under one registration which shall cover the use of such motorcycle with or without such side car. (2) Four dollars of the total fee with respect to the registration of each motorcycle shall, when entered upon the records of the Special Transportation Fund, be deemed to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation for purposes of continuing the program of motorcycle rider education formerly funded under the federal Highway Safety Act of 1978, 23 USC 402.

(c) For the registration of each taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service, with a seating capacity of seven or less, the commissioner shall charge a biennial fee of two hundred [fifty] seventy dollars. When the seating capacity of such motor vehicle is more than seven, there shall be added to the amount herein provided the sum of four dollars for each seat so in excess.

(d) For the registration of each motor bus, except a motor bus owned and operated by a multiple-state passenger carrier as hereinafter defined, the commissioner shall charge a fee of [forty-seven] seventy-three dollars and such registration shall be sufficient for all types of operation under this chapter. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be fifty-three dollars.] For the registration of motor buses owned or operated by a multiple-state passenger carrier, the commissioner shall charge registration fees based on the rate of one dollar per hundredweight of the gross weight, such gross weight to be computed by adding the light weight of the vehicle fully equipped for service to one hundred fifty pounds per passenger for the rated seating capacity, plus the sum of thirty-four dollars, and on and after July 1, 1992, one dollar and twenty-five cents plus the sum of thirty-nine dollars. The fee in each case shall be determined on an apportionment basis commensurate with the use of the highways of this state as herein provided. The commissioner shall require the registration of that percentage of the motor buses of such multiple-state passenger carrier operating into or through the state which the mileage of such motor buses actually operated in the state bears to the total mileage of all such motor buses operated both within and without the state. Such percentage figures shall be the mileage factor. In computing the registration fees on the number of such motor buses which are allocated to the state for registration purposes under the foregoing formula, the commissioner shall first compute the amount that the registration fees would be if all such motor buses were in fact subject to registration in the state, and then apply to such amount the mileage factor above referred to, provided, if the foregoing formula or method of allocation results in apportioning a lesser or greater number of motor buses or amount of registration fees to the state than the state under all of the facts is fairly entitled to, then a formula that will fairly apportion such registration fees to the state shall be determined and used by the commissioner. Said mileage factor shall be computed prior to March first of each year by using the mileage records of operations of such motor buses operating both within and without the state for the twelve-month period, or portion thereof, ending on August thirty-first next preceding the commencement of the registration year for which registration is sought. If there were no operations in the state during any part of such preceding twelve-month period, the commissioner shall proceed under the provisions of subsection (a) of article IV of section 14-365. In apportioning the number of motor buses to be registered in the state, as provided herein, any fractional part of a motor bus shall be treated as a whole motor bus and shall be registered and licensed as such. Any motor bus operated both within and without the state which is not required to be registered in the state under the provisions of this section shall nevertheless be identified as a part of the fleet of the multiple-state passenger carrier and the commissioner shall adopt an appropriate method of identification of such motor buses owned and operated by such carrier. The identification of all such motor buses by the commissioner as above required shall be considered the same as the registration of such motor buses under this chapter. The substitution from time to time of one motor bus for another by a multiple-state passenger carrier shall not require registration thereof in the state as long as the substitution does not increase the aggregate number of motor buses employed in the operation of such carrier, provided all such motor buses substituted for others shall be immediately reported to and identification issued for the same by the commissioner and, if a registration fee is required to be paid for such substituted motor bus, the same shall be promptly paid. As used in this subsection, the phrase "multiple-state passenger carrier" means and includes any person, firm or corporation authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission or its successor agency to engage in the business of the transportation of passengers for hire by motor buses, both within and without the state.

(e) (1) For the registration of a passenger motor vehicle used in part for commercial purposes, except any pick-up truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twelve thousand five hundred pounds, the commissioner shall charge a biennial fee of [eighty-three] ninety-three dollars and shall issue combination registration to such vehicle. (2) For the registration of a school bus, the commissioner shall charge an annual fee of one hundred ten dollars for a type I school bus and sixty dollars for a type II school bus. (3) For the registration of a motor vehicle when used in part for commercial purposes and as a passenger motor vehicle or of a motor vehicle having a seating capacity greater than ten and not used for the conveyance of passengers for hire, the commissioner shall charge a biennial fee for gross weight as for commercial registration, as outlined in section 14-47, as amended by this act, plus the sum of [thirteen] twenty-three dollars and shall issue combination registration to such vehicle. (4) Each vehicle registered as combination shall be issued a number plate bearing the word "combination". No vehicle registered as combination may have a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twelve thousand five hundred pounds. (5) For the registration of a pick-up truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twelve thousand five hundred pounds that is not used in part for commercial purposes, the commissioner shall charge a biennial fee for gross weight as for commercial registration, as provided in section 14-47, as amended by this act, plus the sum of [thirteen] twenty-three dollars. The commissioner may issue passenger registration to any such vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of eight thousand five hundred pounds or less.

(f) For the registration of each electric motor vehicle, the commissioner shall charge a fee of [fifteen] twenty-eight dollars for each year or part thereof. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be eighteen dollars.]

(g) For the registration of all motorcycles, registered under a general distinguishing number and mark, owned or operated by, or in the custody of, a manufacturer of, dealer in or repairer of motorcycles, there shall be charged an annual fee at the rate of [thirty-one] forty-five dollars for each set of number plates furnished. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be thirty-five dollars.]

(h) The minimum annual fee for any commercial registration of a motor vehicle not equipped with pneumatic tires shall be [fifty] sixty-six dollars. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be fifty-six dollars.]

(i) For the transfer of the registration of a motor vehicle previously registered, except as provided in subsection (e) of section 14-16, as amended by this act, and subsection (d) of section 14-253a, there shall be charged a fee of [twenty] twenty-five dollars.

(j) Repealed by 1972, P.A. 255, S. 6.

(k) For the registration of each motor hearse used exclusively for transportation of the dead, the commissioner shall charge a fee of [thirty-one] forty-five dollars. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be thirty-five dollars.] The commissioner may furnish distinguishing number plates for any motor hearse.

(l) The fee for the registration of each truck to be used between parts of an industrial plant, as provided in section 13a-117, shall be [twenty-five] thirty-eight dollars for the first two hundred feet of the public highway, the use of which is granted by such permit. [, and on and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be twenty-eight dollars.] For each additional two hundred feet or fraction thereof, the fee shall be [eleven] thirteen dollars. [, and on and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be twelve dollars.]

(m) (1) For the registration of a trailer used exclusively for camping or any other recreational purpose, the commissioner shall charge a biennial fee of [sixteen] twenty-eight dollars. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be eighteen dollars] (2) For any other trailer or semitrailer not drawn by a truck-tractor he shall charge the same fee as prescribed for commercial registrations in section 14-47, as amended by this act, provided the fee for a heavy duty trailer, a crane or any other heavy construction equipment shall be three hundred [six] sixteen dollars for each year; except that the registration fee for each motor vehicle classed as a tractor-crane and equipped with rubber tires shall be one-half the fee charged for the gross weight of commercial vehicles.

(n) For each temporary registration of a motor vehicle not used for commercial purposes, or renewal of such registration, the commissioner shall charge a fee computed at the rate of [twenty] twenty-five dollars for each ten-day period, or part thereof. For each temporary registration of a motor vehicle used for commercial purposes, or renewal of such registration, the commissioner shall charge a fee computed at the rate of [twenty-five] thirty dollars for each ten-day period, or part thereof, if the motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of six thousand pounds or less. For each temporary registration of a motor vehicle used for commercial purposes, or renewal of such registration, the commissioner shall charge a fee computed at the rate of [forty-six] fifty-one dollars for each ten-day period, or part thereof, if the motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than six thousand pounds.

(o) No registration fee or operator's license fee shall be charged in respect to any motor vehicle owned by a municipality, as defined in section 7-245, any other governmental agency or a military agency and used exclusively for the conduct of official business. No registration fee shall be charged for any motor vehicle owned by or leased to a transit district and used exclusively to provide public transportation. No fee shall be charged for the registration of ambulances owned by hospitals or any nonprofit civic organization approved by the commissioner, but a fee of twenty dollars shall be charged for the inspection of any such ambulance. No fee shall be charged for the registration of fire department apparatus as provided by section 14-19. No registration fee shall be charged to a disabled veteran, as defined in section 14-254, residing in this state for the registration of three passenger, camper or passenger and commercial motor vehicles leased or owned by such veteran in any registration year, provided such vehicles shall not be used for hire. No registration fee shall be charged for any motor vehicle leased to an agency of this state on or after June 4, 1982.

(p) For the registration of a service bus owned by an individual, firm or corporation, exclusive of any nonprofit charitable, religious, educational or community service organization, and used for the transportation of persons without charge, the commissioner shall charge a fee of two hundred ten dollars for vehicles having a seating capacity of sixteen passengers or less, including the driver, and seven hundred ten dollars for vehicles having a seating capacity of more than sixteen passengers. For the registration of any service bus owned by any nonprofit charitable, religious, educational or community service organization, the commissioner shall charge a fee of one hundred [fifty] sixty dollars for vehicles having a seating capacity of sixteen passengers or less, and five hundred ten dollars for vehicles having a seating capacity of more than sixteen passengers, provided such service bus is used exclusively for the purpose of transporting persons in relation to the purposes and activities of such organization. Each such registration shall be issued for a biennial period in accordance with a schedule established by the commissioner. Nothing herein contained shall affect the provisions of subsection (e) of this section.

(q) The commissioner shall collect a biennial fee of [twenty-eight] thirty-eight dollars for the registration of each motor vehicle used exclusively for farming purposes. No such motor vehicle may be used for the purpose of transporting goods for hire or taking the on-the-road skills test portion of the examination for a motor vehicle operator's license. No farm registration shall be issued to any person operating a farm that has gross annual sales of less than two thousand five hundred dollars in the calendar year preceding registration. The commissioner may issue a farm registration for a passenger motor vehicle under such conditions as said commissioner shall prescribe in regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54. No motor vehicle issued a farm registration may be used to transport ten or more passengers on any highway unless such motor vehicle meets the requirements for equipment and mechanical condition set forth in this chapter, and, in the case of a vehicle used to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver, the applicable requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, as adopted by the commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-163c. The operator of such motor vehicle used to transport ten or more passengers shall hold a public transportation permit or endorsement issued in accordance with the provisions of section 14-44. Any farm registration used otherwise than as provided by this subsection shall be revoked.

(r) Repealed by P.A. 73-549, S. 2, 4.

(s) A fee of [sixty-five] seventy-five dollars shall be charged in addition to the regular fee prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle, including but not limited to any passenger motor vehicle or motorcycle, in accordance with this section for a number plate or plates for such vehicle bearing any combination of letters or numbers requested by the registrant and which may be issued in the discretion of the commissioner, except in any case in which the number plates bear the official call letters of an amateur radio station. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be sixty-five dollars.]

(t) For the registration of each camper, the commissioner shall charge a biennial fee of [sixty-two] eighty dollars. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be seventy dollars.] The commissioner shall refund one-half of the registration fee for any camper registration when the number plate or plates and registration certificate are returned with one year or more remaining until the expiration of such registration.

(u) Repealed by P.A. 85-81.

(v) There shall be charged for each motor vehicle learner's permit or renewal thereof a fee of [eighteen] twenty-eight dollars. There shall be charged for each motorcycle training permit or renewal thereof a fee of [fifteen] twenty-five dollars.

(w) In addition to the fee established for the issuance of motor vehicle number plates and except as provided in subsection (a) of section 14-21b and subsection (c) of section 14-253a there shall be an additional safety fee of [five] ten dollars charged at the time of issuance of any reflectorized safety number plate or set of plates. All moneys derived from said safety fee shall be deposited in the Special Transportation Fund. The commissioner may waive said safety fee in the case of any person who submits a police report to the commissioner indicating that the number plate or set of number plates have been stolen or mutilated.

(x) For the registration of each high-mileage vehicle, the commissioner shall charge a fee of [thirty-nine] fifty-four dollars for each year or part thereof. [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be forty-four dollars.]

(y) For each special use registration for a period of thirty days or less, the fee shall be [twenty] thirty dollars.

(z) The commissioner shall assess a [ten-dollar] twenty-five-dollar late fee for renewal of a motor vehicle registration in the event a registrant fails to renew his registration within five days after the expiration of such registration, except that no such fee shall be assessed for the late renewal of the registration, pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (m) of this section, of (1) a trailer used exclusively for camping or any other recreational purpose, or (2) a motor vehicle designed or permanently altered in such a way as to provide living quarters for travel or camping.

(aa) The commissioner shall refund one-half of the registration fee for any motor vehicle when the number plate or plates and registration certificate are returned on or after July 1, 2004, with one year or more remaining until the expiration of such registration.

Sec. 11. Section 14-50 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

[(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-41, there shall be charged a fee of forty-three dollars for each renewal of a motor vehicle operator's license issued for a period of four years, a fee of sixty-five dollars for each renewal of a motor vehicle operator's license issued for a period of six years and an additional fee of twelve dollars for each year for each passenger endorsement.]

[(b)] (a) There shall be charged for each examination of an operator of a motor vehicle a fee of [forty] fifty dollars. There may be charged for each advance appointment for an operator's license examination a fee of fifteen dollars which fee shall be paid to the commissioner at least six business days prior to the date of the appointment and shall be applied toward the examination fee if the applicant keeps the appointment. If the applicant fails to keep the appointment, the appointment fee shall be forfeited, unless (1) in the judgment of the commissioner, the applicant's failure to keep the appointment was due to exigent circumstances, or (2) the applicant reschedules the appointment.

[(c)] (b) The commissioner shall waive any operator's license or registration fee, including any renewal fee in the case of any person in the active service of the armed forces of the United States who was a legal resident of Connecticut at the time of his induction; and for one licensing period to any person honorably separated from such service who applies therefor within two years following the date of separation and was a legal resident of Connecticut at the time of his induction. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

[(d)] (c) Upon request by the chief of any regular fire department or volunteer fire company operating in the state of Connecticut, the commissioner shall waive the operator's examination fee in the case of any member of any such fire department or company who applies for a class 1 operator's license as provided in section 14-36a. The applicant for such license shall satisfy all prerequisites for the issuance of a class 1 license.

[(e)] (d) The commissioner may assess a fee to cover the cost of the collection of number plates, motor vehicle registration certificates or operators' licenses, upon the holders thereof; and such number plates, motor vehicle registration certificates or operators' licenses shall not be returned to the holder thereof or reissued until such fee is paid.

[(f)] (e) Whenever any check issued to the commissioner in payment of any fee is returned as uncollectible, the commissioner shall charge the drawer of such check or the person presenting such check to him a fee of thirty-five dollars for each such check which is drawn in an amount of not more than two hundred dollars, and a fee of fifteen per cent of the full amount of each such check which is drawn in an amount in excess of two hundred dollars, plus all protest fees, to cover the cost of collection.

[(g)] (f) All fees provided for in this chapter shall be construed to be license fees imposed for the administration of this chapter and as compensation for the privilege of using the highways of this state, and to reimburse the state in whole or in part for injury done to the highways by the operation of motor vehicles.

Sec. 12. Section 14-50a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the fee charged by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the following items or services shall be [twenty] twenty-five dollars:

(1) Duplicate of a registration certificate.

(2) First duplicate of a motor vehicle operator's license, second duplicate of a motor vehicle operator's license, and each duplicate of a motor vehicle operator's license thereafter, [thirty] thirty-five dollars.

(3) Replacement number plate or set of number plates, except as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-253a.

(4) Replacement number plate or set of number plates bearing same number as set of replaced plates.

(5) Each search of the accident record files made pursuant to a request for a copy of an accident report which results in no document being produced.

(6) Each copy of an accident report.

(7) Certified copy of an accident record.

(8) Certified statement of "no record of accident".

(9) Certified abstract of driving history record, or driving history record for applicants for commercial driver's license with passenger endorsement or transportation permit.

(10) Name of registered owner.

(11) Operator license information.

(12) Certification of any copy or record.

(13) Certified transcripts of hearing held by the commissioner, three dollars and fifty cents per page with a minimum charge of [twenty] twenty-five dollars.

(14) Each copy of a motor vehicle operator's completed application for a license.

(15) Each copy of a completed application for registration of a motor vehicle.

(16) Each copy of a title document provided to a municipality.

(17) Each request for information as provided in section 14-10, the amount provided in said section.

(18) For any copy or material released from information maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles for which no fee is established by statute, an amount determined by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner may establish fees not conforming to those of subsection (a) of this section for information furnished on a volume basis to persons or firms who satisfy the commissioner that the information furnished is properly required in connection with the conduct of such person's or firm's business, except that commencing on August 16, 2003, the fee established under this subsection for driving history records furnished to for-profit businesses shall be not less than fifteen dollars.

(c) The commissioner may waive any fee specified in subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of this section in the case of any person who submits a police report to the commissioner indicating that the number plate or set of number plates have been stolen or mutilated for the purpose of obtaining the sticker attached to the plate denoting the expiration date of the registration.

(d) No person, firm or corporation furnished information by the commissioner as provided by this section shall distribute such information for any other purpose than that for which it was furnished.

(e) Any person, firm or corporation which violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

Sec. 13. Section 14-50b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) Any person whose operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state has been suspended or revoked by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or who has been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle, shall pay a restoration fee of one hundred [twenty-five] fifty dollars to said commissioner prior to the issuance to such person of a new operator's license or the restoration of such operator's license or such privilege to operate a motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle. Such restoration fee shall be in addition to any other fees provided by law.

(b) Any person whose motor vehicle registration or right of operation of a motor vehicle in this state has been suspended or revoked by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall pay a restoration fee of one hundred [twenty-five] fifty dollars to said commissioner prior to the issuance to such person of a new registration or the restoration of such registration or such right of operation. Such restoration fee shall be in addition to any other fees provided by law.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, on and after July 1, 2005, the first two hundred fifty thousand dollars of revenues collected from the payment of restoration fees under this section shall be appropriated to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the payment of costs, including, but not limited to, the cost of computer reprogramming, incurred by the department in establishing procedures for the suspension of operator's licenses or nonresident operating privileges under subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 14-227b.

Sec. 14. Subsection (k) of section 14-164c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(k) (1) The commissioner, with approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, shall establish, and from time to time modify, the inspection fees, not to exceed ten dollars per annual inspection or twenty dollars for each biennial inspection or reinspection required pursuant to this chapter for inspections performed at official emissions inspection stations. Such fees shall be paid in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. If the costs to the state of the emissions inspection program, including administrative costs and payments to any independent contractor, exceed the income from such fees, such excess costs shall be borne by the state. Any person whose vehicle has been inspected at an official emissions inspection station shall, if such vehicle is found not to comply with any required standards, have the vehicle repaired and have the right within thirty consecutive calendar days to return such vehicle to the same official emissions inspection station for one reinspection without charge, provided, where the thirtieth day falls on a Sunday, legal holiday or a day on which the commissioner has established that special circumstances or conditions exist that have caused emissions inspection to be impracticable, such person may return such vehicle for reinspection on the next day. The commissioner shall assess a late fee of [twenty] twenty-five dollars for the emissions inspection of a motor vehicle performed at an official emissions inspection station later than thirty days after the expiration date of the assigned inspection period provided the commissioner may waive such late fee when it is proven to the commissioner's satisfaction that the failure to have the vehicle inspected within thirty days of the assigned inspection period was due to exigent circumstances. If ownership of the motor vehicle has been transferred subsequent to the expiration date of the assigned inspection period and the new owner has such motor vehicle inspected within thirty days of the registration of such motor vehicle, the commissioner shall waive the late fee. If the thirtieth day falls on a Sunday, legal holiday or a day on which the commissioner has established that special circumstances or conditions exist that have caused emissions inspection to be impracticable, such vehicle may be inspected on the next day and no late fee shall be assessed.

(2) If the commissioner authorizes a licensed dealer or repairer to conduct emissions inspections of 1996 model year and newer vehicles required by this chapter, the commissioner may authorize such licensee to charge a fee, not to exceed twenty dollars for each biennial inspection or reinspection.

(3) Upon the registration of each new motor vehicle subject to the inspection requirements of this chapter, or of each motor vehicle that is four or less model years of age that has not been registered previously in this state, the commissioner may issue a sticker indicating the exempt status of such motor vehicle and the date on which the motor vehicle is scheduled to be presented for inspection. Any such sticker that may be issued shall be displayed on the motor vehicle in accordance with subsection (d) of this section. On and after July 1, 2002, the commissioner shall charge a fee of forty dollars in addition to any other fees required for such registration. All receipts from the payment of such fee shall be deposited in the Special Transportation Fund.

Sec. 15. Section 14-192 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) The commissioner shall be paid the following fees: (1) For filing an application for a certificate of title, [twenty-five] thirty dollars; (2) for each security interest noted upon a certificate of title or maintained in the electronic title file pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-175, [ten] fifteen dollars; (3) for each record copy search, [twenty] twenty-five dollars; (4) for each assignment of a security interest noted upon a certificate of title or maintained in the electronic title file, [ten] fifteen dollars; (5) for an application for a duplicate certificate of title, [twenty-five] thirty dollars, provided such fee shall not be required for any such duplicate certificate of title (A) which is requested on a form prepared and signed by the assessor in any town for purposes of such proof of ownership of a motor vehicle as may be required in accordance with section 12-71b, or (B) in connection with an application submitted by a licensed dealer in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-12 or section 14-61; (6) for an ordinary certificate of title issued upon surrender of a distinctive certificate, [ten] fifteen dollars; (7) for filing a notice of security interest, [ten] fifteen dollars; (8) for a certificate of search of the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles, for each name or identification number searched against, [twenty] twenty-five dollars; (9) for filing an assignment of security interest, [ten] fifteen dollars; (10) for search of a motor vehicle certificate of title record, requested by a person other than the owner of such motor vehicle, [twenty] twenty-five dollars; and (11) for a bond filing under section 14-176, [twenty-five] thirty dollars.

(b) If an application, certificate of title or other document required to be mailed or delivered to the commissioner under any provision of this chapter is not delivered to the commissioner within ten days from the time it is required to be mailed or delivered, the commissioner shall collect, as a penalty, an amount equal to the fee required for the transaction.

(c) Motor vehicles leased to an agency of this state and motor vehicles owned by the state, an agency of the state, or a municipality, as defined in section 7-245, shall be exempt from the fees imposed by this section.

Sec. 16. Section 13b-78m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

(a) (1) Effective January 1, 2010, each New Haven Line rail fare originating or terminating in the state shall be increased by one and one-quarter per cent over the existing fare on all rail fares on the New Haven Line. [and the proceeds of such increase shall be deposited in the account established by subsection (b) of this section.]

(2) Effective January 1, 2011, each New Haven Line rail fare originating or terminating in the state shall be increased by one per cent over the existing fare. [and the proceeds of such increase shall be deposited in the account established by subsection (b) of this section.]

(3) Effective January 1, 2012, each New Haven Line rail fare originating or terminating in the state shall be increased by one per cent over the existing fare. [and the proceeds of such increase shall be deposited in the account established by subsection (b) of this section.]

(4) Effective January 1, 2013, each New Haven Line rail fare originating or terminating in the state shall be increased by one per cent over the existing fare. [and the proceeds of such increase shall be deposited in the account established by subsection (b) of this section.]

(5) Effective January 1, 2014, each New Haven Line rail fare originating or terminating in the state shall be increased by one per cent over the existing fare. [and the proceeds of such increase shall be deposited in the account established by subsection (b) of this section.]

(6) Effective January 1, 2015, each New Haven Line rail fare originating or terminating in the state shall be increased by one per cent over the existing fare. [and the proceeds of such increase shall be deposited in the account established by subsection (b) of this section.]

(7) Effective January 1, 2016, each New Haven Line rail fare originating or terminating in the state shall be increased by one per cent over the existing fare. [and the proceeds of such increase shall be deposited in the account established by subsection (b) of this section.]

[(b) There is hereby created a restricted capital project account to be known as the New Haven Line revitalization account which shall be a nonlapsing account within the Special Transportation Fund. The following funds shall be deposited into the account: (1) The proceeds of the fare increases required by subsection (a) of this section, and (2) any other funds required by law to be deposited in the account. Funds in the account shall be used solely for capital costs and debt service incurred as part of the New Haven Line revitalization program undertaken pursuant to public act 05-4 of the June special session*, except that such funds may be used for the purchase of rail cars for the New Haven Line in addition to those specified in subdivision (1) of section 13b-78l.

(c) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall, in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, annually prepare a budget detailing how funds in the New Haven Line revitalization account shall be spent during the next fiscal year. On the approval of such budget by the Governor, the Commissioner of Transportation may expend funds from such account for the purposes stated therein.]

[(d)] (b) The Commissioner of Transportation shall, by regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54, determine the method by which the increase shall be applied to daily, multiple-ride, weekly and monthly commutation tickets.

Sec. 17. Section 13b-59 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

As used in title 13a or in this title, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning or intent, all terms which are defined in section 4-69 shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in said section. As used in sections 13b-59 and 13b-61, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning or intent:

(a) All terms which are defined in section 13b-2 shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in said section;

(b) "Expressway revenues" means all tolls, rates, rents, fees, charges and other income derived from the operation of any expressway referred to in part III(C) of chapter 240;

(c) "Highway tolls" means all tolls, fees, rentals and other charges, except expressway revenues, for transit over or use of any highway, bridge or ferry, including all receipts from fees, coupons or tickets provided for under section 13a-155;

(d) "License, permit and fee revenues" means (1) all fees and other charges required by, or levied pursuant to sections 12-487, 13b-80 and 13b-97, subsection (b) of section 14-12, sections 14-16a, 14-21c, 14-44h, as amended by this act, and 14-44i, subsection (v) of section 14-49, subsections [(b)] (a) and [(f)] (e) of section 14-50, as amended by this act, subdivisions (5), (6), (7), (8), (11), (12) and (13) of subsection (a) of section 14-50a, as amended by this act, sections 14-52, 14-58, 14-67l and 14-69, subsection (e) of section 14-73, sections 14-96q and 14-103a, subsection (a) of section 14-164a, subsection (a) of section 14-192, as amended by this act, subsection (d) of section 14-270, as amended by this act, sections 14-319 and 14-320 and sections 13b-410a to 13b-410c, inclusive; (2) all aeronautics, waterways, and other fees and charges required by, or levied pursuant to sections 13a-80 and 13a-80a, subsection (b) of section 13b-42 and subsections (b) and (c) of section 15-13; and (3) all motor vehicle related fines, penalties or other charges as defined in subsection (g);

(e) "Motor fuel taxes" means any tax now or hereafter imposed by authority of the state with respect to or measured by the sale or use, as a fuel in internal combustion engines or for the propulsion of motor vehicles, of products commonly or commercially known or sold as gasoline or any other substances prepared, advertised for sale or sold for use as a fuel in internal combustion engines or for the propulsion of motor vehicles, including the taxes provided for by chapter 221 or chapter 222;

(f) "Motor vehicle receipts" means all fees and other charges required by or levied pursuant to subsection (c) of section 14-12, section 14-15, subsection (a) of section 14-25a, section 14-28, subsection (b) of section 14-35, subsection (b) of section 14-41, as amended by this act, section 14-41a, subsection (b) of section 14-44, sections 14-47, as amended by this act, and 14-48b, subsection (a) of section 14-49, as amended by this act, subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 14-49, as amended by this act, except as provided under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of said section, subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (s), (t), (u), (x), (y) and (aa) of section 14-49, as amended by this act, section 14-49a, [subsections (a) and (g)] subsection (f) of section 14-50, as amended by this act, subdivisions (1), (2), (3), (4), (9), (10) and (14) of subsection (a) of section 14-50a, as amended by this act, sections 14-59, 14-61 and 14-65, subsection (c) of section 14-66, subsection (e) of section 14-67, subsection (f) of section 14-67a, sections 14-67d, 14-160 and 14-381, and subsection (b) of section 14-382;

(g) "Motor vehicle related fines, penalties or other charges" means all fines, penalties or other charges required by, or levied pursuant to subsection (a) of section 14-12, sections 14-12s, 14-13, 14-16, as amended by this act, 14-17, 14-18, 14-26, 14-27 and 14-29, subsection (d) of section 14-35 and sections 14-36, 14-39, 14-43, 14-45, 14-64, 14-80, 14-81, 14-97, 14-98, 14-99, 14-101, 14-102, 14-103, 14-104, 14-105, 14-106, 14-110, 14-111, 14-112, 14-137a, 14-140, 14-145, 14-146, 14-147, 14-148, 14-149, 14-150, 14-151, 14-152, 14-161, subsection (f) of section 14-164i, 14-196, 14-197, 14-198, 14-213, 14-214, 14-215, 14-216, 14-217, 14-218a, 14-219, 14-220, 14-221, 14-222, 14-223, 14-224, 14-225, 14-226, 14-228, 14-230, 14-231, 14-232, 14-233, 14-234, 14-235, 14-236, 14-237, 14-238, 14-239, 14-240, 14-241, 14-242, 14-243, 14-244, 14-245, 14-246a, 14-247, 14-249, 14-250, 14-257, 14-260, 14-261, 14-262, 14-264, 14-267a, 14-269, subsection (g) of section 14-270, as amended by this act, sections 14-271, 14-273, 14-274, 14-275, 14-276, 14-277, 14-279, 14-280, 14-281, 14-282, 14-283, 14-285, 14-286, 14-295, 14-296, 14-300, 14-314, 14-329, 14-331, 14-342, 14-386, 14-386a, 14-387, 15-7, 15-8, 15-9, 15-16, 15-25 and 15-33;

(h) "Motor vehicle taxes" means any fees, excises or licenses or other taxes imposed by authority of the state relating to registration, operation or use of motor vehicles including all receipts of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or his department, but not including in any case tolls, fees, rentals and charges for transit over or use of any expressway, highway, bridge or ferry or revenue received by the state in fees for the numbering of motorboats;

(i) "Treasurer" means the State Treasurer and includes each successor in office or authority; and

(j) "Special Transportation Fund" means the Special Transportation Fund created under section 13b-68.

Sec. 18. Section 13b-78k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2009):

As used in this section, sections 13b-57m and 13b-57q to 13b-57s, inclusive, subsections (a), (b) and (c) of section 13b-57t, sections 13b-74 and 13b-78l to 13b-78o, inclusive, and section 46 of public act 05-3 of the June special session*:

(1) "New Haven Line" means the rail passenger service operated between New Haven and intermediate points and Grand Central station, including the Danbury, Waterbury and New Canaan branch lines.

[(2) "New Haven Line revitalization account" means the account established by subsection (b) of section 13b-78m.]

[(3)] (2) "New Haven Line revitalization program" means the design, development, construction and acquisition of maintenance facilities, rail cars and related equipment for use on the New Haven Line, as specified in subdivisions (1) and (2) of section 13b-78l.

[(4)] (3) "Transportation Strategy Board projects account" means the account created by subsection (a) of section 13b-57r.

[(5)] (4) "Transportation system improvement" means: [(1)] (A) Projects included in the state-wide transportation improvement program, [(2)] (B) funded and unfunded projects included in regional transportation improvement plans, or [(3)] (C) projects identified in subsection (h) of section 13b-57.

Statement of Legislative Commissioners:

The bill makes changes to sections 14-50 (section 11) and 13b-78m (section 16) of the general statutes that require changes to be made to sections 13b-59 (section 17) and 13b-78k (section 18) of the general statutes, respectively, to reflect such changes.

The following fiscal impact statement and bill analysis are prepared for the benefit of members of the General Assembly, solely for the purpose of information, summarization, and explanation, and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either House thereof for any purpose:

OFA Fiscal Note and OLR Bill Analysis

sHB-6393

AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION, MOTOR VEHICLES, HIGHWAY SAFETY AND SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION FUND.

OFA SUMMARY IMPACT:

State Impact:

Note: TF=Transportation Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

A section-by-section fiscal impact analysis is presented in conjunction with the bill summary.

OLR SUMMARY:

This bill:

1. establishes a new Driver Responsibility Fee Assessment for people convicted of certain motor vehicle-related offenses;

2. increases fees related to oversize vehicle permits issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and establishes a new set of engineering fees;

3. increases numerous motor vehicle-related fees;

4. postpones implementation of driver license renewal vision screening requirements for two years, until July 1, 2011;

5. eliminates the motor vehicle commissioner's authority to charge a fee for renewal of drivers' licenses and passenger endorsements;

6. eliminates the New Haven Line revitalization account as a separate account in the Special Transportation Fund;

7. makes technical and conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009

§ 1 – Driver Responsibility Fee Assessment

OFA Fiscal Impact

Note: TF=Transportation Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

This section establishes a $1,000 fee to be imposed (for a period of two years) by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles on any person found guilty of certain offenses specified within the bill. Each year, approximately 5,000 offenders are convicted of these crimes. Provided that 80% of these offenders pay their fines, first year revenues would be approximately $4 million and annual revenues in FY 11 and thereafter would be approximately $8 million.

The revenue gain to the Transportation Fund from the driver's license point surcharge is anticipated to be less than $150,000 per year.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will require 1 additional License Motor Vehicle Inspectors at $53,000 each plus fringes to process driver history records. There is a one-time cost to DMV of $500,000 in FY 10 for development and computer programming of the Driver Responsibility Fee Assessment system.

OLR Analysis

The bill establishes a Driver Responsibility Fee Assessment under which drivers convicted of certain violations must pay an additional fee to the state for a two-year period (see Comment). It requires:

1. anyone who accumulates seven or more driver's license points to pay an annual fee of $100 for two consecutive years and an additional $50 for each point accumulated above seven; and

2. anyone convicted of certain serious offenses to pay an additional annual fee of $1,000 for two consecutive years.

The fees are in addition to the fines and other charges that must be paid for the violations themselves.

The serious offenses for which the additional two-year $1,000 fee applies include:

1. manslaughter, negligent homicide, or a felony resulting from operation of a motor vehicle;

2. “driving while impaired in violation of subsection (b) of section 14-227a of the general statutes”;

3. failing to stop and disclose one's identity at the scene of an accident when required by law; and

4. fleeing or eluding an officer.

The bill requires the motor vehicle commissioner to collect these additional fees. He must send a notice of the driver responsibility assessment to the person by regular mail to the address in DMV records. If payment is not received within 30 days of when he mailed the notice, the commissioner must send a second notice stating that if payment is not received within the next 30 days the driver's “driving privileges” will be suspended. (Presumably, the second 30-day period begins when the second notice is mailed.

The commissioner may authorize payment of amounts of $500 or more by installment for a period of up to 12 months. If a payment is not received or an installment plan is not established after the time limit required by the second notice expires, the commissioner must suspend the person's “driving privileges” until it and “any other fees prescribed” by this provision are paid. (There do not appear to be any other fees prescribed by this provision.)

The fee the bill establishes based on accumulated driver's license points can only be assessed on points assigned after July 1, 2009. Drivers with seven license points on July 1, 2009 may not be assessed the fee until they receive points after July 1.

Comment

By law, the motor vehicle commissioner may establish a driver's license point system by regulation. However, not all pointable violations result in assessment of license points. By law, the commissioner may not assess license points for an infraction or violation if it is eligible for mail-in processing to the Centralized Infractions Bureau and the person sends payment of the fine, fees, and other charges by the date required (CGS Sec. 14-137a).

The bill's references to some of the serious offenses that result in the two-year $1,000 assessment are ambiguous. The reference to manslaughter resulting from motor vehicle operation appears to mean manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle (CGS Sec. 53a-56b). The reference to negligent homicide resulting from vehicle operation appears to mean negligent homicide with a motor vehicle (CGS Sec. 14-222a) but it also could include misconduct with a motor vehicle (CGS Sec. 53a-57). It is unclear what offenses may be involved under the reference to “a felony resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.”

The reference to “driving while impaired in violation of subsection (b) of section 14-227a” appears to be incorrect. Subsection (b) refers to the admissibility of a chemical test of blood, breath, or urine in a criminal prosecution. Subsection (a) of 14-227a establishes the offenses of driving “while under the influence of alcohol or drugs” or with an “elevated blood alcohol content.” There is no reference in the statute to “driving while impaired.”

The references to “failing to stop and disclose identity at the scene of an accident” and “fleeing or eluding an officer” appear to refer to offenses prosecuted under CGS Secs. 14-224 and 14-223(b) respectively.

§ 2 – Fees Related to DOT Oversize Vehicle Permits

OFA Fiscal Impact

State Impact:

Note: TF=Transportation Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

The bill increases permit fees for oversized and/or overweight vehicles. This is expected to result in a revenue gain to the Transportation Fund of approximately $4.1 million in FY 10 and $4.2 million in FY 11 and thereafter.

OLR Analysis

By law, a motor vehicle that exceeds the maximum height, width, length, or weigh limitations set by state law may only be operated on a highway if it has been issued a DOT oversize vehicle permit. The bill establishes an engineering fee for overweight vehicle permits that varies by the amount the vehicle exceeds state limits as follows:

1. $50 for a single unit truck that exceeds gross weight limits of: 110,000 pounds on four axles, 114,500 pounds on five axles, or 115,000 pounds on six axles when routing requires such vehicle to traverse a structure with a non-posted limit;

2. $100 for any vehicle combination for: (a) an overweight permit request for a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of more than 160,000 pounds but less than 200,000 pounds, or (b) an oversize permit request for a vehicle with a height or width exceeding 15 feet or an overall length exceeding 140 feet;

3. $200 for any vehicle combination weighing 200,000 pounds or more but less than 500,000 pounds;

4. $500 for any vehicle combination weighing 500,000 pounds or more.

Vehicles required to pay the engineering fee are permitted to use the approved routing for a six-month period, as long as neither the vehicle configuration nor routing change.

By law a vehicle owner or lessee may pay for either a single trip permit or an annual permit. The bill increases the single trip permit fee from $23 to $30 and requires it to be nonrefundable. It increases the fee for an annual permit for a vehicle transporting (a) a divisible load, (b) an overweight or oversized-overweight indivisible load, or (c) an oversize divisible load from $7 to $9 per 1,000 pounds of weight or fraction thereof. By law, the annual permit may be issued in any increment up to one year. Currently, the applicant must pay one-tenth of the annual fee for each month or part of a month. The bill increases this to $100 per month or fraction.

Currently, an annual permit for a vehicle transporting an oversize indivisible load must be a minimum of $500. The bill increases this to $650.

Finally, the bill increases the transmittal fee from $3 to $5 for each permit issued and transmitted electronically.

The bill prohibits all of these fees from being prorated, transferable, or refundable.

§§3-15 – Various Motor Vehicle Fee Increases

OFA Fiscal Impact

State Impact:

Note: TF=Transportation Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

The bill increases various fees. This is expected to result in a revenue gain to the Transportation Fund of approximately $36.2 million per year.

OLR Analysis

The bill increases various motor vehicle-related fees as shown below.

In addition, the bill increases from $200 to $250 the civil penalty the motor vehicle commissioner must collect when someone who has failed to maintain insurance on a passenger motor vehicle and has entered into a consent agreement with the commissioner (§4).

§ 7(a) – Postponment of Vision Screening for Drivers' License Renewals

OFA Fiscal Impact

State Impact:

Note: TF=Transportation Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

Postponing the requirement that DMV screen the vision of every licensed driver until FY 12 is expected to result in a savings to the Transportation Fund of approximately $2.2 million in each year of the biennium.

OLR Analysis

The bill postpones for two years, until July 1, 2011, the requirement that the motor vehicle commissioner conduct a vision screening at the time of every other driver's license renewal. Under current law, in lieu of a DMV screening, an operator may submit the results of a vision screening conducted by a licensed health care professional qualified to conduct such screenings if it was done within the 12 months preceding license renewal.

§ 11(a) – Elimination of Driver's License and Passenger Endorsement Renewal Fee

OFA Fiscal Impact

State Impact:

Note: TF=Transportation Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

The bill repeals the renewal fee for drivers' licenses. This is expected to result in a revenue loss to the Transportation Fund of approximately $22.0 million per year.

OLR Analysis

The bill eliminates the motor vehicle commissioner's authority to charge the renewal fee for a motor vehicle operator's license ($43 for a four-license, $65 for a six-year license, and $12 per year for each passenger endorsement.)

§§ 16-18 – Elimination of New Haven Line Revitalization Account

OFA Fiscal Impact

State Impact: None

Municipal Impact: None

OLR Analysis

The bill eliminates the New Haven Line revitalization account as a separate non-lapsing restricted capital project account in the Special Transportation Fund and makes conforming changes. The account was created in 2005 as part of the legislation providing funding for the New Haven Line revitalization project. The project encompasses the purchase of new rail cars for the New Haven Line, the new rail maintenance facility in New Haven, and related equipment acquisition.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Transportation Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute

¹ The fringe benefit costs for state employees are budgeted centrally in the Miscellaneous Accounts administered by the Comptroller on an actual cost basis. The following is provided for estimated costs associated with additional personnel. The estimated non-pension fringe benefit rate as a percentage of payroll is 25.43%. Fringe benefit costs for new positions do not initially include pension costs as the state's pension contribution is based upon the 6/30/08 actuarial valuation for the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) which certifies the contribution for FY 10 and FY 11. Therefore, new positions will not impact the state's pension contribution until FY 12 after the next scheduled certification on 6/30/2010.