HCS SB 951 -- TRAFFIC VIOLATION REVENUES

SPONSOR:  Cauthorn (Nance)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government by a vote of 8 to 5.

Currently, if a city, town, or village receives more than 45% of
its total annual revenue from fines for traffic violations, all
revenue from these violations in excess of 45% must be sent to
the Department of Revenue.  Effective September 1, 2008, this
substitute reduces the amount to 35% of the annual general
operating revenue and includes the court costs for the traffic
violations in the amount.  Failure to send the excess revenue to
the department in a timely manner as determined by the department
director may result in the city, town, or village being subject
to an annual audit by the State Auditor.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is needed to make sure
that the police departments in certain smaller cities don't use
speed traps to raise revenue instead of tax increases which often
cannot receive voter approval.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Cauthorn; and Representative
Nance.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:46 am