Connecticut 2023 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 4 D cosponsors

SB 1195 — AN ACT ESTABLISHING SECONDARY TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

Last action — HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 515

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

584 added · 429 removed

584 line(s) added, 429 removed.

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General Assembly Raised Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
1195 January Session, 2023 LCO No.
568 January Session, 2023 Substitute Senate Bill No.
5390 Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY Introduced by:
1195 Senate, April 13, 2023 The Committee on Judiciary reportedthrough SEN.
(JUD) AN ACT ESTABLISHING SECONDARY TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
WINFIELD of the 10th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT ESTABLISHING SECONDARY TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
(1) "Activity vehicle" means a student transportation vehicle that is used to transport students in connection with school-sponsored events and activities, but is not used to transport students to and from school;
(1) "Activity vehicle" means a student transportation vehicle that is sSB1195 / File No.
LCO No.
568 1 sSB1195 File No.
5390 1 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 (2) "Agricultural tractor" means a tractor or other form of nonmuscular motive power used for transporting, hauling, plowing, cultivating, planting, harvesting, reaping or other agricultural purposes on any farm or other private property, or used for the purpose of transporting, from one farm to another, agricultural implements and farm products, provided the agricultural tractor is not used on any highway for transporting a pay load or for some other commercial purpose;
568 used to transport students in connection with school-sponsored events and activities, but is not used to transport students to and from school;
(2) "Agricultural tractor" means a tractor or other form of nonmuscular motive power used for transporting, hauling, plowing, cultivating, planting, harvesting, reaping or other agricultural purposes on any farm or other private property, or used for the purpose of transporting, from one farm to another, agricultural implements and farm products, provided the agricultural tractor is not used on any highway for transporting a pay load or for some other commercial purpose;
(8) "Bulb" means a light source consisting of a glass bulb containing a filament or substance capable of being electrically maintained at LCO No.
sSB1195 / File No.
5390 2 of 31 Raised Bill No.
568 2 sSB1195 File No.
1195 incandescence;
568 (8) "Bulb" means a light source consisting of a glass bulb containing a filament or substance capable of being electrically maintained at incandescence;
(17) "Commercial driver's license" or "CDL" means a license issued to LCO No.
sSB1195 / File No.
5390 3 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 an individual in accordance with the provisions of sections 14-44a to 14- 44m, inclusive, which authorizes such individual to drive a commercial motor vehicle;
568 3 sSB1195 File No.
568 (17) "Commercial driver's license" or "CDL" means a license issued to an individual in accordance with the provisions of sections 14-44a to 14- 44m, inclusive, which authorizes such individual to drive a commercial motor vehicle;
(22) "Commercial trailer registration" means the type of registration LCO No.
sSB1195 / File No.
5390 4 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 issued to any commercial trailer;
568 4 sSB1195 File No.
568 (22) "Commercial trailer registration" means the type of registration issued to any commercial trailer;
(B) a determination by the Federal Highway Administration, under the rules of practice for motor carrier safety contained in 49 CFR 386, as amended from time to time, that a person is no longer qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle under the standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to LCO No.
(B) a determination by the Federal Highway Administration, under the rules of practice for motor carrier safety contained in 49 CFR 386, as amended from time to time, that a person is no longer qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle sSB1195 / File No.
5390 5 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 time;
568 5 sSB1195 File No.
568 under the standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time;
(34) "Employer" means any person, including the United States, a state or any political subdivision thereof, who owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle, or assigns a person to drive a commercial LCO No.
(34) "Employer" means any person, including the United States, a state or any political subdivision thereof, who owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle, or assigns a person to drive a commercial sSB1195 / File No.
5390 6 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 motor vehicle;
568 6 sSB1195 File No.
568 motor vehicle;
LCO No.
sSB1195 / File No.
5390 7 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 (40) "Garage" includes every place of business where motor vehicles are, for compensation, received for housing, storage or repair;
568 7 sSB1195 File No.
568 (40) "Garage" includes every place of business where motor vehicles are, for compensation, received for housing, storage or repair;
(47) "Imminent hazard" means the existence of a condition that LCO No.
(47) "Imminent hazard" means the existence of a condition that presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, severe sSB1195 / File No.
5390 8 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, severe personalinjuryorasubstantialendangermenttohealth,property,orthe environment may occur before the reasonably foreseeable completion dateofaformalproceedingbeguntolessentheriskofthatdeath,illness, injury or endangerment;
568 8 sSB1195 File No.
568 personalinjuryorasubstantialendangermenttohealth,property,orthe environment may occur before the reasonably foreseeable completion dateofaformalproceedingbeguntolessentheriskofthatdeath,illness, injury or endangerment;
LCO No.
(55) "Modified antique motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle twenty sSB1195 / File No.
5390 9 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 (55) "Modified antique motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle twenty years old or older which has been modified for safe road use, including, but not limited to, modifications to the drive train, suspension, braking system and safety or comfort apparatus;
568 9 sSB1195 File No.
568 years old or older which has been modified for safe road use, including, but not limited to, modifications to the drive train, suspension, braking system and safety or comfort apparatus;
(59) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle propelled or drawn by any nonmuscular power, except aircraft, motor boats, road rollers, baggage trucks used about railroad stations or other mass transit facilities, electric battery-operated wheel chairs when operated by persons with physical disabilities at speeds not exceeding fifteen miles per hour, golf carts operated on highways solely for the purpose of crossing from one part of the golf course to another, golf-cart-type vehicles operated on roads or highways on the grounds of state institutions by state employees, agricultural tractors, farm implements, such vehicles as run only on rails or tracks, self-propelled snow plows, snow blowers and lawn mowers, when used for the purposes for which they were designed and operated at speeds not exceeding four miles per hour, whether or not the operator rides on or walks behind such equipment, motor-driven cycles, as defined in section 14-286, special mobile LCO No.
(59) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle propelled or drawn by any nonmuscular power, except aircraft, motor boats, road rollers, baggage trucks used about railroad stations or other mass transit facilities, electric battery-operated wheel chairs when operated by persons with physical disabilities at speeds not exceeding fifteen miles per hour, golf carts operated on highways solely for the purpose of crossing from one part of the golf course to another, golf-cart-type vehicles operated on roads or highways on the grounds of state institutions by state employees, agricultural tractors, farm implements, such vehicles as run only on rails or tracks, self-propelled snow plows, snow blowers and lawn mowers, when used for the purposes for which they were designed and operated at speeds not exceeding four miles per hour, whether or not the operator rides on or walks behind such equipment, motor-driven cycles, as defined in section 14-286, special mobile equipment, as defined in section 14-165, mini-motorcycles, as defined in section 14-289j, electric bicycles, electric foot scooters and any other sSB1195 / File No.
5390 10 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 equipment, as defined in section 14-165, mini-motorcycles, as defined in section 14-289j, electric bicycles, electric foot scooters and any other vehicle not suitable for operation on a highway;
568 10 sSB1195 File No.
568 vehicle not suitable for operation on a highway;
(67) "Officer" includes any constable, state marshal, inspector of motor vehicles, state policeman or other official authorized to make LCO No.
(67) "Officer" includes any constable, state marshal, inspector of motor vehicles, state policeman or other official authorized to make arrests or to serve process, provided the officer is in uniform or displays the officer's badge of office in a conspicuous place when making an sSB1195 / File No.
5390 11 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 arrests or to serve process, provided the officer is in uniform or displays the officer's badge of office in a conspicuous place when making an arrest;
568 11 sSB1195 File No.
568 arrest;
LCO No.
(74) "Passenger registration" means the type of registration issued to a passenger motor vehicle unless a more specific type of registration is sSB1195 / File No.
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5390 12 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 (74) "Passenger registration" means the type of registration issued to a passenger motor vehicle unless a more specific type of registration is authorized and issued by the commissioner for such class of vehicle;
568 12 sSB1195 File No.
568 authorized and issued by the commissioner for such class of vehicle;
LCO No.
(83) "Resident", for the purpose of registering motor vehicles, includes any person who is a legal resident of this state, as the sSB1195 / File No.
5390 13 of 31 Raised Bill No.
568 13 sSB1195 File No.
1195 (83) "Resident", for the purpose of registering motor vehicles, includes any person who is a legal resident of this state, as the commissioner may presume from the fact that such person occupies a place of dwelling in this state for more than six months in a year, or any person, firm or corporation owning or leasing a motor vehicle used or operated in intrastate business in this state, or a firm or corporation having its principal office or place of business in this state;
568 commissioner may presume from the fact that such person occupies a place of dwelling in this state for more than six months in a year, or any person, firm or corporation owning or leasing a motor vehicle used or operated in intrastate business in this state, or a firm or corporation having its principal office or place of business in this state;
(D) improper or erratic lane changes, in LCO No.
(D) improper or erratic lane changes, in violation of section 14-236;
5390 14 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 violation of section 14-236;
(E) using a hand-held mobile telephone or other electronic device or typing, reading or sending text or a text sSB1195 / File No.
(E) using a hand-held mobile telephone or other electronic device or typing, reading or sending text or a text message with or from a mobile telephone or mobile electronic device in violation of subsection (e) of section 14-296aa while operating a commercial motor vehicle;
568 14 sSB1195 File No.
568 message with or from a mobile telephone or mobile electronic device in violation of subsection (e) of section 14-296aa while operating a commercial motor vehicle;
LCO No.
[(93)] (94) "State" means any state of the United States and the District of Columbia unless the context indicates a more specific reference to the sSB1195 / File No.
5390 15 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 [(93)] (94) "State" means any state of the United States and the District of Columbia unless the context indicates a more specific reference to the state of Connecticut;
568 15 sSB1195 File No.
568 state of Connecticut;
[(102)] (103) "Ultimate consumer" means, with respect to a motor vehicle,thefirstperson,otherthanadealer,whoingoodfaithpurchases the motor vehicle for purposes other than resale;
[(102)] (103) "Ultimate consumer" means, with respect to a motor vehicle,thefirstperson,otherthana dealer,whoingoodfaithpurchases the motor vehicle for purposes other than resale;
LCO No.
[(103)] (104) "United States" means the fifty states and the District of Columbia;
5390 16 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 [(103)] (104) "United States" means the fifty states and the District of Columbia;
sSB1195 / File No.
[(104)] (105) "Used motor vehicle" includes any motor vehicle which has been previously separately registered by an ultimate consumer;
568 16 sSB1195 File No.
568 [(104)] (105) "Used motor vehicle" includes any motor vehicle which has been previously separately registered by an ultimate consumer;
LCO No.
[(109)] (110) "Wrecker" means a vehicle which is registered, designed, equipped and used for the purposes of towing or transporting wrecked or disabled motor vehicles for compensation or for related purposes by sSB1195 / File No.
5390 17 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 [(109)] (110) "Wrecker" means a vehicle which is registered, designed, equipped and used for the purposes of towing or transporting wrecked or disabled motor vehicles for compensation or for related purposes by a person, firm or corporation licensed in accordance with the provisions of subpart (D) of part III of this chapter or a vehicle contracted for the consensual towing or transporting of one or more motor vehicles to or from a place of sale, purchase, salvage or repair.
568 17 sSB1195 File No.
568 a person, firm or corporation licensed in accordance with the provisions of subpart (D) of part III of this chapter or a vehicle contracted for the consensual towing or transporting of one or more motor vehicles to or from a place of sale, purchase, salvage or repair.
Any person who violates any provision of subsection (b) of this section shall remove such object or material which obstructs [his] such person's clear and full view of the road and report LCO No.
Any person who violates any provision of subsection (b) of this section shall remove such object or material which obstructs [his] such person's clear and full view of the road and report within sixty days to the police department which issued the infractions complaint to present [his] such person's vehicle for inspection and to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this section.
5390 18 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 within sixty days to the police department which issued the infractions complaint to present [his] such person's vehicle for inspection and to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this section.
If such person fails to report to such police department and is cited for a sSB1195 / File No.
If such person fails to report to such police department and is cited for a subsequentviolationofthissection,hisvehicleshallbeimpoundedafter notice and opportunity for hearing.
568 18 sSB1195 File No.
568 subsequent violation of this section, [his] such person's vehicle shall be impounded after notice and opportunity for hearing.
The commissioner may issue a sticker LCO No.
The commissioner may issue a sticker denoting the expiration date of the registration.
5390 19 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 denoting the expiration date of the registration.
(b) Repealed by 1969, P.A.
sSB1195 / File No.
568 19 sSB1195 File No.
568 (b) Repealed by 1969, P.A.
Such number plates shall be horizontal, and shall be fastened so as not to swing.
Such number plates shall be horizontal [,] and shall be fastened so as not to swing.
providedany motor vehiclemay,uponpermissionofthecommissioner, display more than one number plate in front or rear, subject to such conditionsasthecommissionerprescribes.Ifanynumberplatesupplied by thecommissioner islost,or iftheregisterednumber thereonbecomes mutilated or illegible, the owner of or the person in control of the motor vehicle for which such number plate was furnished shall immediately place a temporary number plate bearing said registration number upon such motor vehicle, which temporary number plate shall conform to the regular number plate and shall be displayed as nearly as possible as herein provided for such regular number plate;
providedany motor vehiclemay, uponpermissionofthecommissioner, display more than one number plate in front or rear, subject to such conditionsasthecommissionerprescribes.Ifanynumberplatesupplied by thecommissioner islost,or iftheregisterednumber thereonbecomes mutilated or illegible, the owner of or the person in control of the motor vehicle for which such number plate was furnished shall immediately place a temporary number plate bearing said registration number upon such motor vehicle, which temporary number plate shall conform to the regular number plate and shall be displayed as nearly as possible as [herein]providedinthissectionforsuchregularnumberplate;andsuch owner shall, within forty-eight hours after such loss or mutilation of the number plate, give notice thereof to the commissioner and apply for a new number plate.
and such owner shall, within forty-eight hours after such loss or mutilation of the number plate, give notice thereof to the commissioner and apply for a new number plate.
LCO No.
Sec.
5390 20 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 Sec.
(a) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state shall display such lighted lamps and illuminating devices as may be required under the provisions of this section and sections [14-96a] 14-96b to 14-96aa, inclusive, (1) at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, (2) at any time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of five hundred feet ahead, and (3) at any time during periods of precipitation, including, but not limited to, periods of snow, rain or fog.
(a) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state shall display such sSB1195 / File No.
568 20 sSB1195 File No.
568 lighted lamps and illuminating devices as may be required under the provisions of this section and sections [14-96a] 14-96b to 14-96aa, inclusive, (1) at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, (2) at any time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of five hundred feet ahead, and (3) at any time during periods of precipitation, including, but not limited to, periods of snow, rain or fog.
(e) To the extent that a violation concerning the number, placement, intensity of lamps or illuminating devices or any other technical specifications concerning lamps or illuminating devices provided for in sections 14-96b to 14-96aa, inclusive, would also constitute a violation under this section, such violation shall be enforced under sections 14- 96b to 14-96aa, inclusive, and not under this section.
(e) To the extent that a violation concerning the number, placement or intensity of lamps or illuminating devices, or any other technical specifications concerning lamps or illuminating devices, provided for in sections 14-96b to 14-96aa, inclusive, would also constitute a violation under this section, such violation shall be enforced under sections 14- 96b to 14-96aa, inclusive, as applicable, and not under this section.
LCO No.
Sec.
5390 21 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 Sec.
(a) After October 1, 1967, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer, and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, shall be equipped with at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required in subsection (a) of section 14-96a, as amended by this act, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of one thousand feet to the rear, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to October 1, 1957, and motorcycles shall have at least one such tail lamp.
(a) After October 1, 1967, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and sSB1195 / File No.
568 21 sSB1195 File No.
568 pole trailer, and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, shall be equipped with at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required in subsection (a) of section 14-96a, as amended by this act, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of one thousand feet to the rear, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to October 1, 1957, and motorcycles shall have at least one such tail lamp.
Failure to have two functioning tail lamps shall be a secondary violation if the vehicle has one illuminated and functioning tail lamp.
Failure to illuminate the rear registration plate shall be a secondary violation.
Failure to illuminate the rear registration plate shall be a secondary offense.
LCO No.
(a) Each motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer shall carry on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two or more red reflectors meeting the requirements of this section.
5390 22 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 (a) Each motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer shall carry on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two or more red reflectors meeting the requirements of this section.
(b) Each such reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than fifteen inches nor more than sixty inches, and shall be of such size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within three hundred fifty feet to one hundred feet from such vehicle when directly in front of upper beams of head lamps.
sSB1195 / File No.
568 22 sSB1195 File No.
568 (b) Each such reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than fifteen inches nor more than sixty inches, and shall be of such size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within three hundred fifty feet to one hundred feet from such vehicle when directly in front of the upper beams of head lamps.
Section 14-96e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023):
(a) Each motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer shall be equipped with two or more stop lamps meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of section 14-96r, except that passenger motor vehicles manufactured or assembled prior to October 1, 1957, and motorcycles shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp.
On a combination of vehicles, only the stop lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified.
(b) Each motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signals shall be given by, a turn signal lamp or lamps complying with the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Section 571.108, as amended from time to time.
(c) Failure to equip vehicles with stop lamps or a turn signal lamp or lamps or turn signal devices as required by this section shall be an infraction.
Failure to equip a vehicle with two or more functioning stop lamps shall be a secondary violation if the vehicle has one functioning stop lamp and is otherwise in compliance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
LCO No.
5390 23 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 Sec.
10.
(b) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than three hundred candlepower, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
(b) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as [herein] required by this section is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than three hundred candlepower, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
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10.
(a) Each motor vehicle shall be equipped with a windshield of a type prescribed by section 14-100 and a windshield cleaner or wiper in effective working order located directly in front of the operator while in use on the highway.
sSB1195 / File No.
568 23 sSB1195 File No.
568 (a) Each motor vehicle shall be equipped with a windshield of a type prescribed by section 14-100 and a windshield cleaner or wiper in effective working order located directly in front of the operator while in use on the highway.
(b) No person shall operate a motor vehicle required to be equipped LCO No.
(b) No person shall operate a motor vehicle required to be equipped with such a windshield if the windshield is in a condition to interfere with an unobstructed view of the highway.
5390 24 of 31 Raised Bill No.
1195 with such a windshield if the windshield is in a condition to interfere with an unobstructed view of the highway.
12.
11.
Subsection (a) of section 14-12 of the general statutes is repealed andthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2023):
Subsection (a) of section 14-12 of the general statutes is repealedandthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2023):
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, (1) a person commits an infraction if such person (A) registers a motor vehicle he or she does not own, or (B) operates, allows the operation of, parks or allows the parking of an unregistered motor vehicle on any highway, or (2) a resident of this state who operates or parks a motor vehicle such resident owns with number plates issued by another state on any highway shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars, except that the fine shall be suspended for a first time violator who presents proof of registration for the motor vehicle subsequent to the violation but prior to the imposition of a fine.
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, (1) a person commits an infraction if such person (A) registers a motor vehicle [he or she] such person does not own, or (B) operates, allows the sSB1195 / File No.
If the owner of a motor vehicle previously registered with the commissioner, the registration of which expired not more than [thirty] sixty days previously, operates, allows the operation LCO No.
568 24 sSB1195 File No.
5390 25 of 31 Raised Bill No.
568 operation of, parks or allows the parking of an unregistered motor vehicle on any highway, or (2) a resident of this state who operates or parks a motor vehicle such resident owns with number plates issued by another state on any highway shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars, except that the fine shall be suspended for a first time violator who presents proof of registration for the motor vehicle subsequent to the violation but prior to the imposition of a fine.
1195 of, parks or allows that parking of such a motor vehicle, such owner shall be fined the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a registration, but the right to retain his or her operator's license shall not be affected.
If the owner of a motor vehicle previously registered with the commissioner, the registration of which expired not more than [thirty] sixty days previously, operates, allows the operation of, parks or allows that parking of such a motor vehicle, such owner shall be fined the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a registration, but the right to retain his or her operator's license shall not be affected.
Such infraction shall be a secondary violation.
Such violation shall be a secondary violation.
As used in this subsection, the term "unregistered motor vehicle" includes any vehicle that is not eligible for registration by the commissioner due to the absence of necessary equipment or other characteristics of the vehicle that make it unsuitable for highway operation, unless the operation of such vehicle is expressly permitted by another provision of this chapter or chapter 248.
As used in this subsection, the term "unregistered motor vehicle" includes any vehicle that is not eligible for registration by the commissioner due to the absence of necessary equipment or other characteristics of the vehicle that make it unsuitable for highway operation, unless the operationof such vehicle is expressly permitted by another provision of this chapter or chapter 248.
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12.
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 fined in accordance with the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license.
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 sSB1195 / File No.
Any such infraction shall be a secondary violation.
568 25 sSB1195 File No.
568 of the license shall be fined in accordance with the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license.
A violation of this subsection shall be a secondary violation.
14.
13.
LCO No.
(a) A person holding (1) a license for the operation of a motor vehicle, issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in accordance with section 14-36, or (2) an identity card, issued by said commissioner in accordance with section 1-1h, shall notify the commissioner within forty-eight hours of any change of such person's address.
5390 26 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 (a) A person holding (1) a license for the operation of a motor vehicle, issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in accordance with section 14-36, or (2) an identity card, issued by said commissioner in accordance with section 1-1h, shall notify the commissioner within forty-eight hours of any change of such person's address.
15.
14.
Each operator of a motor vehicle shall carry his operator's license while operating such vehicle.
Each [operator of] person who operates a motor vehicle shall carry sSB1195 / File No.
568 26 sSB1195 File No.
568 [his] such person's operator's license while operating such vehicle.
16.
15.
Any person whose motor vehicle operator's license has been suspended who operates a motor vehicle after the expiration of such period of suspension without obtaining the reinstatement of such LCO No.
Any person whose motor vehicle operator's license has been suspended who operates a motor vehicle after the expiration of such period of suspension without obtaining the reinstatement of such license shall (1) during the first sixty days after such expiration, be deemed to have failed to renew such license and be subject to the penalty for failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license under subsection (c) of section 14-41, and such violation shall be a secondary violation, and (2) after said sixty-day period, be subject to the penalty for operating a motor vehicle without a license under section 14-36.
5390 27 of 31 Raised Bill No.
1195 license shall (1) during the first sixty days after such expiration, be deemed to have failed to renew such license and be subject to the penalty for failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license under subsection (c) of section 14-41, and such infraction shall be a secondary violation, and (2) after said sixty-day period, be subject to the penalty for operating a motor vehicle without a license under section 14-36.
17.
16.
(c) The owner or lessee of each registered motor vehicle who is issued two fully reflectorized safety number plates by the commissioner shall display such plates on such motor vehicle as provided in section 14-18, as amended by this act.
sSB1195 / File No.
568 27 sSB1195 File No.
568 (c) The owner or lessee of each registered motor vehicle who is issued two fully reflectorized safety number plates by the commissioner shall display such plates on such motor vehicle as provided in section 14-18, as amended by this act.
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17.
LCO No.
(e) Every motor vehicle shall, when operated on a highway, be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle.
5390 28 of 31 Raised Bill No.1195 (e) Every motor vehicle shall, when operated on a highway, be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle.
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18.
(a) Each motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror attached to and so located and adjusted on such vehicle as to give the operator thereof a clear reflected view of the highway directly to the rear of or on a line parallelto theleftsideofthebody ofsuchmotorvehicle.
(a) Each motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror attached to and so located and adjusted on such vehicle as to give the operator thereof a clear reflected view of the highway directly to the rear of or on a line parallel to the left side of the body of such motor vehicle.
Any such infraction shall be a secondary violation.
A violation of this subsection shall be a secondary violation.
(c) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
sSB1195 / File No.
568 28 sSB1195 File No.
568 (c) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
20.
19.
Eachvehicle,exceptamotorvehicle,whichissoconstructedorwhich is so loaded that the driver is prevented from having a free and unobstructed view of the highway immediately to the rear and at the sides of the same, shall be equipped with a mirror or reflector attached to and so located and adjusted on such vehicle as to give the operator LCO No.
Eachvehicle,exceptamotorvehicle,whichissoconstructedorwhich is so loaded that the driver is prevented from having a free and unobstructed view of the highway immediately to the rear and at the sides of the same, shall be equipped with a mirror or reflector attached to and so located and adjusted on such vehicle as to give the operator thereof a clear reflected view ofthe highway directly to the rear on a line parallel to the side of the body of such vehicle.
5390 29 of 31 Raised Bill No.
1195 thereof a clear reflected view ofthe highway directly to the rear on a line parallel to the side of the body of such vehicle.
Any such infraction shall be a secondary violation.
Such violation shall be a secondary violation.
9 October 1, 2023 14-96e Sec.
9 October 1, 2023 14-96y Sec.
10 October 1, 2023 14-96y Sec.
10 October 1, 2023 14-99f Sec.
11 October 1, 2023 14-99f Sec.
11 October 1, 2023 14-12(a) Sec.
12 October 1, 2023 14-12(a) Sec.
12 October 1, 2023 14-41(d) Sec.
13 October 1, 2023 14-41(d) Sec.
13 October 1, 2023 14-45 Sec.
14 October 1, 2023 14-45 Sec.
14 October 1, 2023 14-213 Sec.
15 October 1, 2023 14-213 Sec.
15 October 1, 2023 14-215b Sec.
16 October 1, 2023 14-215b Sec.
16 October 1, 2023 14-21b sSB1195 / File No.
17 October 1, 2023 14-21b Sec.
568 29 sSB1195 File No.
18 October 1, 2023 14-80(e) Sec.
568 Sec.
19 October 1, 2023 14-99 Sec.
17 October 1, 2023 14-80(e) Sec.
20 October 1, 2023 14-285 Statement of Purpose:
18 October 1, 2023 14-99 Sec.
To establish secondary traffic violations and prohibit a law enforcement officer from stopping a motor vehicle for a secondary traffic violation.
19 October 1, 2023 14-285 Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
LCO No.
In Sections 4(f), 5(a)(2), 6(e), 7(d), 11, 12(d), 15, 18(a) and 19, conforming changes were made concerning the use of the word "violation".
5390 30 of 31 Raised Bill No.
JUD Joint Favorable Subst.
1195 [Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
sSB1195 / File No.
Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] LCO No.
568 30 sSB1195 File No.
5390 31 of 31
568 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 24 $ FY 25 $ Emergency Services and Public GF - Potential See Below See Below Protection, Dept.
Revenue Loss Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
Municipalities Effect FY 24 $ FY 25 $ Municipal Police Departments Potential See Below See Below Revenue Loss Explanation The bill designates certain equipment-related and administrative motor vehicle violations as secondary violations and prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping a motor vehicle only to enforce one of these violations, resulting in a potential revenue loss to the state and municipal police departments, depending on the number of citations resulting from vehicles that previously would have been stopped solely for such violations.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of violations.
sSB1195 / File No.
568 31 sSB1195 File No.
568 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 1195 AN ACT ESTABLISHING SECONDARY TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
SUMMARY This bill designates certain equipment-related and administrative motor vehicle violations as secondary violations, prohibiting law enforcement officers from stopping a motor vehicle only to enforce one of these violations.
The violations deemed secondary are generally designated as infractions (see BACKGROUND) and include, among others, (1) window tint violations, (2) failure to have two working headlights, (3) failing to illuminate the rear license plate, (4) failure to renew a registration or driver’s license, and (5) failure to carry a driver’s license when driving.
The bill specifies that it does not prohibit enforcement of secondary violations (1) in the case of a vehicle stopped for a violation that is not a secondary violation (i.e., a primary violation), (2) by automated enforcement, and (3) by mailing a violation notice.
Existing law already makes some violations secondary violations (although it does not use that term), including (1) the failure of a backseat passenger age 16 or older to wear a seat belt (CGS § 14- 100a(c)(4)) and (2) smoking, inhaling, or ingesting cannabis while driving or as a passenger (CGS §§ 53a-213a & -213b).
The billalso modifiestheviolationfor obscuring license plates, which is a primary violation.
Current law requires that license plates be entirely unobscured and prohibits placing anything on a vehicle or licenseplatesthatobscuresanyinformationontheplate.Thebillinstead requires that plates be substantially unobscured and prohibits placing anything that obscures the plate’s numbers and letters.
sSB1195 / File No.
568 32 sSB1195 File No.
568 Lastly, the bill makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2023 §§ 4-9, 10 & 17-19 — EQUIPMENT VIOLATIONS Tinted Window Violations (§ 4) Existing law generally prohibits (1) driving a vehicle with objects or materials placed, installed, or applied on the vehicle in a way that obstructs the driver’s clear and full view of the road out of the windshield and side and rear windows and (2) putting transparent material on these windows if it alters the color or reduces the light transmittance.
But it makes many exceptions to these prohibitions, including allowing tinting of side windows that complies with the law’s standards on light transmission and luminous reflectance.
It also prohibits anyone from selling, offering, or delivering in the state a vehicle with windows that do not comply with these standards.
Bylaw,anymotorvehiclewithawindowthat wastintedafterfactory delivery must have a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV)-issued sticker indicating that material used complies with the law’s standards.
Manufacturers must apply to DMV for approval before shipping material to the state and deliver the approvedstickers with the material.
The sticker’s presence on a motor vehicle indicates that the window complies with the law, and vehicles with tinted windows operating without a compliance sticker are in violation of the law.
Violations of these provisions are infractions under existing law.
The bill additionally makes them secondary violations.
Display of License Plates (§§ 5 & 16) By law, vehicles issued two license plates must display them in a visible place on the vehicle’s front and rear.
The bill makes displaying a license plate against a vehicle’s rear window a secondary violation, as long as the numbers and letters are plainly legible.
Lights (§§ 6-9) The bill makes the following light-related infractions secondary sSB1195 / File No.
568 33 sSB1195 File No.
568 violations:
1.
failure to illuminate the rear license plate with a white light that makes it clearly legible from 50 feet away, 2.
having only one red reflector on the vehicle's rear when two are required (but having no reflectors remains a primary violation), and 3.
having only one working headlight otherwise in compliance with the law when two are required (but having no working headlights remains a primary violation).
The bill also requires violations of laws on the number, placement, and intensity of lights or other technical specifications included in the motor vehicle equipment laws that would also constitute a violation of the statute on use of lights while driving (CGS § 14-96a) to be enforced under the equipment statutes and not under CGS 14-96a.
Obstructed Windshield (§ 10) Existing lawprohibits attaching, placing,or hanging adevice, sticker, or ornament on or in a vehicle in a way or location so that it obstructs the driver’s view of the highway or distracts the driver.
The bill makes violations of this prohibition a secondary violation, as long as the obstruction is not substantial.
Horn (§ 17) Under existing law, when operating on a public road, every motor vehicle must have a horn in good working order that can make a sound that can be heard under normal conditions from at least 200 feet away.
The law prohibits the horn or other warning devices from making an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle.
The bill makes violations of these provisions secondary violations.
Mirrors (§§ 18 & 19) Existing law requires motor vehicles and other vehicles (e.g., bicycle and motor scooters) to have a mirror attached, located, and adjusted in sSB1195 / File No.
568 34 sSB1195 File No.
568 a way that gives the operator a clear view of the highway directly to the vehicle’s rear or on a line parallel to the vehicle’s body.
It also requires vehicles that are not motor vehicles to watch for vehicles approaching totheirrearanddrivetotherightaspromptlyassafetypermits,inorder to allow the oncoming vehicle to pass safely.
The bill makes these infractions secondary violations.
§§ 11-15 — ADMINISTRATIVE VIOLATIONS Failure to Renew Registration (§ 11) Existing law generally requires a person to register a vehicle with DMV before it may be driven, towed, or parked on any public road.
Violations are generally infractions, but the commissioner is authorized to suspend a person’s driver’s license for failing to renew a registration (CGS § 14-12g(c)).
Current law has a grace period of 30 days after a previously registered vehicle’s registration expires during which a violation is considered “failure to renew” and subject only to an infraction penalty and not license suspension.
The bill extends this grace period from 30 to daysafter theexpirationdate andmakesfailure to renewasecondary violation.
Failure to Renew Driver’s License (§§ 12 & 15) Existing law similarly has a grace period of 60 days after a driver’s license expires during which previously licensed drivers are fined for failure to renew a driver’s license rather than driving without a license (CGS § 14-36).
It also makes driving without getting reinstated within the first 60 days after a person’s license suspension expires subject to the penalty for failure to renew.
The bill makes these violations secondary violations.
Failure to Carry Driver’s License (§ 14) By law, a person must carry their driver’s license with them when they drive.
Driving without it is an infraction.
The bill also makes failing to do so a secondary violation.
sSB1195 / File No.
568 35 sSB1195 File No.
568 Failure to Change Address (§ 13) The law requires driver’s license and identity card holders to update DMV within 48 hours of any change of address.
The bill makes failing to do so a secondary violation.
BACKGROUND Infractions Infractions are punishable by fines, usually set by Superior Court judges, of between $35 and $90, plus a $20 or $35 surcharge and an additional fee based on the fine’s amount.
There may also be other applicable charges depending on the type of infraction.
For example, certain motor vehicle infractions trigger a Special Transportation Fund surcharge of 50% of the fine.
An infraction is not a crime and violators can generally pay the fine by mail without making a court appearance.
COMMITTEE ACTION Judiciary Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 24 Nay 13 (03/27/2023) sSB1195 / File No.
568 36
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Action History

  1. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 515

  2. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  3. SENATE PASSED

  4. SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  5. FILE NO. 568

  6. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 340

  7. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  8. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  9. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/12/23

  10. FILED WITH LCO

  11. Joint Favorable Substitute

  12. PUBLIC HEARING 0313

  13. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary

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5 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 182 not signed on

Sponsors (5)

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Not signed on (182)

182 members have not signed on to this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 1195?
SB 1195 is sponsored by Patricia Billie Miller (Democratic), Travis Simms (Democratic), Bobby G. Gibson (Democratic), Porter, Robyn A., and Martin M. Looney (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 1195?
This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
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