OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS

Legislative Office Building, Room 5200

Hartford, CT 06106 ↓ (860) 240-0200

http: //www. cga. ct. gov/ofa

sSB-427

AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF HAND-HELD MOBILE TELEPHONES AND MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES BY MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact:

Explanation

This bill would generate a revenue gain of approximately $220,000 annually for the state and a revenue gain of approximately $345,000 annually¹ for various municipalities due to:

1. the replacement of the $100 maximum for all offenses with fines of $100 for the first violation, $150 for a second violation, and $200 for a third and subsequent violations;

2. the elimination of the suspension of a fine for a first time violator who subsequent to the violation acquired a hands-free phone accessory;

3. an additional penalty for moving violations that result in accidents.

Under the bill municipalities will receive 25% of the revenue gained from each summons they issue for such a violation. Additional revenue gained by the state will sufficiently cover this remittance to municipalities, resulting in the net revenue gain for the state as mentioned above.

These estimates will vary depending on the number of violations issued. In 2008, approximately 37,000 violations to statute 14-296aa were committed and of those 22,500 had associated fines imposed.

The Out Years

The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of violations charged.