HCS HB 122 -- TRAFFIC VIOLATION REVENUES

SPONSOR:  Pratt (Nance)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 9 to 2 with 1 present.

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.  This substitute reduces the amount to
35% of the annual general operating revenue, but includes court
costs for traffic violations in the amount.  Failure to send the
excess revenue to the department in a timely manner as determined
by the department director results in the city, town, or village
being subject to an annual audit by the State Auditor.

The provisions of the substitute become effective January 1,
2010, in Jackson County.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will reduce the amount
of revenue small Missouri towns can derive from ticketing motor
vehicles on state highways.  Some small towns in Missouri
specifically target individuals that pass through their towns on
state highways to avoid having to raise local taxes on their
residents.  One example is a small town in Missouri that receives
$8,500 in property taxes and nearly $110,000 in revenue from
ticketing individuals on a 1.2 mile stretch of state highway that
runs through the town.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Nance.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:18 am