Senate committee advances law to raise traffic fines, create VIPD impound lot; towing fee, fine allocations amended

Summary

The Legislature's Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Committee voted to advance Bill 36-0036 to Rules and Judiciary after amending fines and fee allocations. The bill updates the traffic fine schedule, establishes a police impound lot, and sets an initial fee schedule that was adjusted during the hearing.

The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety voted to send Bill 36-0036, which would repeal and reenact portions of Title 20 of the Virgin Islands Code to increase traffic penalties and establish a Virgin Islands Police Department impound lot, to the Rules and Judiciary Committee after approving amendments to the bill.

The bill's sponsors, including Senator Kenneth L. Gittens and co-sponsors Senator Nobel Francis Jr. and Senator Franklin D. Johnson, told the committee the measure updates a fine schedule that has not kept pace with road conditions and inflation. "Under the proposed legislation, no citation would be less than $100," a sponsor said during opening remarks.

The bill would set a new distribution of fine revenue, create an impound lot for the VIPD, and establish an initial fee schedule for impound-related services. During the April 3 hearing the committee approved a sponsor's amendment to increase the proposed towing fee from $65 to $150 and approved an amendment directing $3 from each paid traffic citation to the Superior Court, with $1 for court administrative purposes and $2 designated for the Rising Stars Steel Orchestra.

Why it matters: VIPD and the Office of the Attorney General told lawmakers they support higher fines and a dedicated impound…

Senate committee advances law to raise traffic fines, create VIPD impound lot; towing fee, fine allocations amended

Summary

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