Substitute House Bill No. 5312

Public Act No. 18-164

AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES REGARDING THE MOTOR VEHICLE STATUTES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subsection (b) of section 14-15 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(b) Each person, firm or corporation licensed under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or by another state, who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified, may electronically register or transfer the registration of a motor vehicle used in connection with its business. The licensee, within [five] ten days from the electronic issuance of such registration or transfer, shall submit to the commissioner an application together with all necessary documents to register or transfer the registration of the vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Any such licensee that registers or transfers registration shall be required to register or transfer registrations electronically if the commissioner determines that such licensee files with such department, on average, seven or more such registrations or transfers each month. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this subsection.

Sec. 2. Section 14-15d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require any person, firm or corporation, who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified and who is engaged in the business of filing applications for the issuance of a certificate of registration or a certificate of title for motor vehicles with the Department of Motor Vehicles, to file such applications electronically if the commissioner determines that such person, firm or corporation files, on average, seven or more such applications each month. A qualified person, firm or corporation shall, within [five] ten days from the electronic issuance of such registration, submit to the commissioner an application together with all necessary documents required to register the vehicle with the department. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.

Sec. 3. Subsection (a) of section 14-16 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) A motor vehicle registration expires upon transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle. [The person in whose name the motor vehicle is registered shall return to the commissioner, within twenty-four hours of the motor vehicle's transfer, the certificate of registration, the number plate or plates issued for the vehicle together with a written notice, subject to the penalties of false statement, containing the date that ownership of the vehicle was transferred and the name, residence and post-office address of the owner. The following statement shall appear directly above the space provided for the signature of the person filing the form: "I declare under the penalties of false statement that this notice has been examined by me and to the best of my knowledge and belief is complete, and the statements made herein are true and correct."] The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall enter such expiration in the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles only when the transferor cancels his or her registration for such motor vehicle in accordance with procedures established by the commissioner or when the transferee reregisters such motor vehicle with the department, whichever occurs first.

Sec. 4. Subsection (d) of section 14-18 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(d) All number plates shall be the property of the state and no title therein shall pass to any person registering a motor vehicle under the provisions of this chapter. The owner of any registered motor vehicle which is not reregistered at the end of a registration period shall, within ten days, cancel such registration in accordance with procedures established by the commissioner and may return the number plates [thereof] to the commissioner. Any person who sells a motor vehicle pursuant to section 14-150 or 49-61 shall, within ten days of such sale, return to the commissioner any number plates displayed on the vehicle or which come into such person's possession in connection with such sale. When the commissioner issues a new type of number plate for use by all persons registering motor vehicles, the obsolete number plates shall become the property of the registrant upon the expiration date.

Sec. 5. Subsection (f) of section 13b-59 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(f) "Motor vehicle receipts" means all fees and other charges required by or levied pursuant to subsection (c) of section 14-12, section 14-15, as amended by this act, subsection (a) of section 14-25a, section 14-28, subsection (b) of section 14-35, subsection (b) of section 14-41, as amended by this act, [section] sections 14-41a, [subsection (b) of section 14-44, sections] 14-47 and 14-48b, subsection (a) of section 14-49, subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 14-49, except as provided under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of said section, subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (s), (t), [(u),] (x), (y) and [(aa)] (z) of section 14-49, as amended by this act, section 14-49a, [subsections] subsection (a) [and (g)] of section 14-50, subdivisions (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (10) of subsection (a) of section 14-50a, sections 14-59, 14-61, as amended by this act, and 14-65, subsection (c) of section 14-66, subsection (e) of section 14-67, [subsection (f) of section] sections 14-67a, [sections] 14-67d, 14-160 and 14-381, and subsection [(b)] (c) of section 14-382;

Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 14-61 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) Any dealer licensed under the provisions of this subpart who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified and sells or trades a passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, camper, camp trailer, commercial trailer, service bus, school bus or truck to a transferee who holds a current registration certificate for a passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, camper, camp trailer, commercial trailer, service bus, school bus or truck registered in this state may issue a sixty-day temporary transfer of such registration to the vehicle transferred. The commissioner shall charge such dealer a fee of ten dollars for each new temporary dealer transfer form furnished for the purposes of this section. No dealer may make such temporary transfer of a registration unless the transferee surrenders the current registration certificate to the dealer indicating the disposition of the vehicle described thereon in the space provided on the reverse side of such certificate and unless the transferee is eighteen years of age or older. The dealer shall, within [five] ten days from the issuance of such temporary registration, submit to the commissioner an application together with all necessary documents for a permanent registration for the vehicle transferred. No such temporary registration may be issued if (1) the transferred passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, camper, camp trailer, commercial trailer, service bus, school bus or truck is used and was not previously registered in this state, unless the inspection requirements of section 14-12 have been met, (2) such motor vehicle is ten or more years old, unless the inspection requirements of section 14-16a have been met, or (3) such motor vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurance company, unless the inspection requirements of section 14-103a have been met.

Sec. 7. Section 14-61b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may permit any licensed motor vehicle dealer or repairer to maintain, in an electronic format prescribed by the commissioner, all records, documents and forms required by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Such records, documents and forms shall be produced in written format, upon request by the department, during the licensee's business hours on the same day of such request. A violation of this section shall be an infraction.

Sec. 8. Subsection (f) of section 14-62 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(f) The provisions of subsection (d) of this section shall not apply to the sale of any used motor vehicle by a new car dealer to a person, firm or corporation which, pursuant to a lease contract option, purchases such vehicle at the end of the lease term provided (1) such vehicle is registered in this state in accordance with the provisions of section 14-12, (2) the certificate of title for such vehicle is in the possession of a lessor licensed under the provisions of section 14-15, as amended by this act, (3) subsequent to such sale, such vehicle is registered in the name of the prior lessee, and (4) such dealer obtains the certificate of title from such lessor and transmits all necessary documents and fees to the commissioner not later than [five] ten days following the issuance of a motor vehicle registration for such vehicle.

Sec. 9. Section 14-66b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

Each owner of a wrecker registered pursuant to subsection (c) of section 14-66 shall keep and maintain a record stating the following information: (1) The registration number of each motor vehicle towed or transported and the registration number of each wrecker used to tow or transport such motor vehicle; (2) the date and time the tow commenced and was completed; (3) the location from which the disabled motor vehicle was towed and the destination of such tow; (4) the mileage of the wrecker at the commencement and completion of the tow; (5) the charge for tow service and any other charges incurred for services related to such tow; (6) the name and address of the person requesting tow service; and (7) any other information the commissioner deems necessary, specified in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. Such records shall be retained at the place of business of the wrecker service for a period of two years and shall be available for inspection during regular business hours by any law enforcement officer or inspector designated by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Each owner of a wrecker shall also keep and maintain copies of any written contracts with owners or lessees of property authorizing the towing or removal of motor vehicles from the property of such owner or lessee, or with lending institutions repossessing any motor vehicles, as provided in section 14-145, as amended by this act, and such contracts shall be available for inspection by motor vehicle owners, agents of the owners, or lending institutions, upon request. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may permit any licensed motor vehicle dealer or repairer who operates a wrecker service to maintain, in an electronic format prescribed by the commissioner, all records, documents and forms required by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Such records, documents and forms shall be produced in written format, upon request by the department, during the licensee's business hours on the same day of such request. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be deemed to have committed an infraction.

Sec. 10. Subsection (i) of section 14-111 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(i) (1) Whenever any person has been convicted of any violation of section 14-110, 14-147, as amended by this act, 14-215, 14-222 or 14-224 and such person's license has been suspended by the commissioner, such person may make application to the commissioner for the reversal or reduction of the term of such suspension. Such application shall be in writing and shall state specifically the reasons why such applicant believes that the applicant is entitled to such reversal or reduction. The commissioner shall consider each such application and the applicant's driver control record, as defined in section 14-111h, and may grant a hearing to the applicant in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and section 14-4a.

(2) Any person whose license has been revoked in accordance with subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a or subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of section 14-227m may, at any time after two years from the date of such revocation, request a hearing before the commissioner, conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, and the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection for reversal or reduction of such revocation. The commissioner shall require such person to provide evidence that any reversal or reduction of such revocation shall not endanger the public safety or welfare. Such evidence shall include, but not be limited to, proof that such person has: [successfully] (A) Successfully completed an alcohol or drug education and treatment program [and proof that such person has] subsequent to such person's most recent conviction or privilege suspension for an offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs, (B) not been convicted of or had a suspension of his or her operating privilege for any offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs during the preceding two years, and (C) has not operated a motor vehicle during the previous two years. The commissioner shall require any person, as a condition of granting such reversal or reduction, to install and maintain an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-227a. The approved ignition interlock device shall be installed and maintained for any period during the lifetime of such person in which such person owns or operates a motor vehicle, except that such person may, at any time after fifteen years from the date the commissioner grants such reversal or reduction, request a hearing before the commissioner, conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to remove such ignition interlock device. The commissioner may authorize the removal of such ignition interlock device, for good cause shown, after such fifteen-year period and such hearing. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards to implement the provisions of this section.

Sec. 11. Section 14-111e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall suspend, for a period of one hundred fifty days, the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of any person [under the age of twenty-one] who has been convicted of a violation of section 30-88a involving the misuse of an operator's license and who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of such violation.

(2) The commissioner shall suspend, for a period of sixty days, the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of any person [under the age of twenty-one] who has been convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 30-89, subsection (a) of section 21a-279a or subsection (d) of section 21a-267 and who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of such violation.

(3) The commissioner shall suspend, for a period of thirty days, the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of any person [under the age of twenty-one] who has been convicted of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 30-89 and who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of such violation.

(b) [Any person under the age of twenty-one who has not been issued a motor vehicle operator's license under section 14-36 and] The commissioner shall not issue a new motor vehicle operator's license under the provisions of section 14-36 to any person who has been convicted of a violation of section 30-88a or section 30-89, subsection (e) of section 1-1h, subsection (a) of section 21a-279a or subsection (d) of section 21a-267 [shall not be issued a new operator's license by the commissioner under section 14-36] and who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of such violation until a period of one hundred fifty days has elapsed from the date all applicable requirements for any such license have been satisfied by [the applicant] such person.

Sec. 12. Section 14-276 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) Registered school buses while transporting school children shall be operated by holders of a valid passenger and school endorsement issued in accordance with section 14-44, as amended by this act. Such endorsement shall be held in addition to the commercial driver's license required for the operation of such motor vehicles. A person who has attained the age of seventy shall be allowed to hold a passenger and school endorsement for the purpose of operating a school bus, provided such person meets the minimum physical requirements set by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and agrees to submit to a physical examination at least twice a year or when requested to do so by the superintendent of the school system in which such person intends to operate a school bus. Any person to whom a town has awarded a contract for the transportation of school children who permits the operation of a registered school bus while transporting school children by any person who does not hold a passenger and school endorsement shall be fined not less than two thousand five hundred dollars or more than five thousand dollars.

(b) Not less than [twice per] once during the first and third week of each month, a carrier shall review the report made by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (h) of section 14-44, with reference to the name and motor vehicle operator's license number of each person such carrier employs to operate a school bus, as defined in section 14-275, or a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212. If, according to such report, any such employee's motor vehicle operator's license or endorsement to operate a school bus or student transportation vehicle has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked, such carrier shall immediately prohibit such employee from operating a school bus or student transportation vehicle.

(c) Any carrier who fails to review the report made by the commissioner, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, shall be subject to a civil penalty of one thousand dollars for the first violation, and two thousand five hundred dollars for each subsequent violation. Any carrier who fails to [remove as an operator] take immediate action to prohibit the operation of a school bus or student transportation vehicle by an operator who appears on a report, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, [not later than forty-eight hours after reviewing such report, any employee whose motor vehicle operator's license or endorsement to operate a school bus or student transportation vehicle has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked,] shall be subject to a civil penalty of two thousand five hundred dollars for the first violation, and five thousand dollars for each subsequent violation. Upon appropriate justification presented to the commissioner by any carrier, the commissioner may make a determination to reduce any such penalty.

Sec. 13. Section 38a-343a of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require each insurer that issues policies in this state to notify said commissioner monthly, on a date specified by said commissioner, of the cancellation and addition by the insurer of all such policies that occurred during the preceding month. Such notice shall include the name of the named insured in the policy, the policy number, the vehicle identification number of each automobile covered by the policy and the effective date of the policy's cancellation or addition. Said commissioner shall specify an acceptable method of notification. The method of notification specified may include computer tapes or electronic transmission.

(2) Said commissioner may require each insurer that issues policies in this state to provide monthly, on a date specified by said commissioner, the policy information required for purposes of the Online Insurance Verification System, as provided in section 14-112a.

(3) The failure of an insurer to comply with the requirements of this section shall not affect the cancellation of any policy.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall receive or accept all notices of policy cancellation or addition or all policy information from insurers, as required pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Said commissioner shall review and analyze the cancellation and addition data or policy information submitted, together with such other information as said commissioner may obtain from the insurers, from the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles, or from any other public or private agency or firm in possession of relevant information, for the purpose of determining whether any registered owner identified in any such notice has failed to continuously maintain insurance coverage in violation of sections 14-12c and 38a-371. In conducting such an inquiry to determine insured status, said commissioner may contact registered vehicle owners by mail and require that such mail inquiries be answered in not less than thirty days, in a satisfactory manner containing such information and verification of insurance coverage as said commissioner deems necessary and acceptable.

Sec. 14. Section 12-71b of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) Any person who owns a motor vehicle which is not registered with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles on the first day of October in any assessment year and which is registered subsequent to said first day of October but prior to the first day of August in such assessment year shall be liable for the payment of property tax with respect to such motor vehicle in the town where such motor vehicle is subject to property tax, in an amount as hereinafter provided, on the first day of January immediately subsequent to the end of such assessment year. The property tax payable with respect to such motor vehicle on said first day of January shall be in the amount which would be payable if such motor vehicle had been entered in the taxable list of the town where such motor vehicle is subject to property tax on the first day of October in such assessment year if such registration occurs prior to the first day of November. If such registration occurs on or after the first day of November but prior to the first day of August in such assessment year, such tax shall be a pro rata portion of the amount of tax payable if such motor vehicle had been entered in the taxable list of such town on October first in such assessment year to be determined (1) by a ratio, the numerator of which shall be the number of months from the date of such registration, including the month in which registration occurs, to the first day of October next succeeding and the denominator of which shall be twelve or (2) upon the affirmative vote of the legislative body of the municipality, by a ratio the numerator of which shall be the number of days from the date of such registration, including the day on which the registration occurs, to the first day of October next succeeding and the denominator of which shall be three hundred sixty-five. For purposes of this section the term "assessment year" means the period of twelve full months commencing with October first each year.

(b) Whenever any person who owns a motor vehicle which has been entered in the taxable list of the town where such motor vehicle is subject to property tax in any assessment year and who, subsequent to the first day of October in such assessment year but prior to the first day of August in such assessment year, replaces such motor vehicle with another motor vehicle, hereinafter referred to as the replacement vehicle, which vehicle may be in a different classification for purposes of registration than the motor vehicle replaced, and provided one of the following conditions is applicable with respect to the motor vehicle replaced: (1) The unexpired registration of the motor vehicle replaced is transferred to the replacement vehicle, (2) the motor vehicle replaced was stolen or totally damaged and proof concerning such theft or total damage is submitted to the assessor in such town or (3) the motor vehicle replaced is sold by such person within forty-five days immediately prior to or following the date on which such person acquires the replacement vehicle, such person shall be liable for the payment of property tax with respect to the replacement vehicle in the town in which the motor vehicle replaced is subject to property tax, in an amount as hereinafter provided, on the first day of January immediately subsequent to the end of such assessment year. If the replacement vehicle is replaced by such person with another motor vehicle prior to the first day of August in such assessment year, the replacement vehicle shall be subject to property tax as provided in this subsection and such other motor vehicle replacing the replacement vehicle, or any motor vehicle replacing such other motor vehicle in such assessment year, shall be deemed to be the replacement vehicle for purposes of this subsection and shall be subject to property tax as provided herein. The property tax payable with respect to the replacement vehicle on said first day of January shall be the amount by which (A) is in excess of (B) as follows: (A) The property tax which would be payable if the replacement vehicle had been entered in the taxable list of the town in which the motor vehicle replaced is subject to property tax on the first day of October in such assessment year if such registration occurs prior to the first day of November, however if such registration occurs on or after the first day of November but prior to the first day of August in such assessment year, such tax shall be a pro rata portion of the amount of tax payable if such motor vehicle had been entered in the taxable list of such town on October first in such assessment year to be determined by a ratio, the numerator of which shall be the number of months from the date of such registration, including the month in which registration occurs, to the first day of October next succeeding and the denominator of which shall be twelve, provided if such person, on said first day of October, was entitled to any exemption under section 12-81 which was allowed in the assessment of the motor vehicle replaced, such exemption shall be allowed for purposes of determining the property tax payable with respect to the replacement vehicle as provided herein; (B) the property tax payable by such person with respect to the motor vehicle replaced, provided if the replacement vehicle is registered subsequent to the thirty-first day of October but prior to the first day of August in such assessment year such property tax payable with respect to the motor vehicle replaced shall, for purposes of the computation herein, be deemed to be a pro rata portion of such property tax to be prorated in the same manner as the amount of tax determined under (A) above.

(c) Any person who owns a commercial motor vehicle which has been temporarily registered at any time during any assessment year and which has not during such period been entered in the taxable list of any town in the state for purposes of the property tax and with respect to which no permanent registration has been issued during such period, shall be liable for the payment of property tax with respect to such motor vehicle in the town where such motor vehicle is subject to property tax on the first day of January immediately following the end of such assessment year, in an amount as hereinafter provided. The property tax payable shall be in the amount which would be payable if such motor vehicle had been entered in the taxable list of the town where such motor vehicle is subject to property tax on the first day of October in such assessment year.

(d) Any motor vehicle subject to property tax as provided in this section shall, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, be subject to such property tax in the town in which such motor vehicle was last registered in the assessment year ending immediately preceding the day on which such property tax is payable as provided in this section.

(e) Whenever any motor vehicle subject to property tax as provided in this section has been replaced by the owner with another motor vehicle in the assessment year immediately preceding the day on which such property tax is payable, each such motor vehicle shall be subject to property tax as provided in this section.

(f) Upon receipt by the assessor in any town of notice from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in a manner as prescribed by said commissioner, with respect to any motor vehicle subject to property tax in accordance with the provisions of this section and which has not been entered in the taxable grand list of such town, such assessor shall determine the value of such motor vehicle for purposes of property tax assessment and shall add such value to the taxable grand list in such town for the immediately preceding assessment date and the tax thereon shall be levied and collected by the tax collector. Such property tax shall be payable not later than the first day of February following the first day of January on which the owner of such motor vehicle becomes liable for the payment of property tax with respect to such motor vehicle in accordance with the provisions of this section, subject to any determination in accordance with section 12-142 that such tax shall be due and payable in installments. Said owner may appeal the assessment of such motor vehicle, as determined by the assessor in accordance with this subsection, to the board of assessment appeals next succeeding the date on which the tax based on such assessment is payable, and thereafter, to the Superior Court as provided in section 12-117a. If the amount of such tax is reduced upon appeal, the portion thereof which has been paid in excess of the amount determined to be due upon appeal shall be refunded to said owner.

(g) Any motor vehicle which is not registered in this state shall be subject to property tax in this state if such motor vehicle in the normal course of operation most frequently leaves from and returns to or remains in one or more points within this state, and such motor vehicle shall be subject to such property tax in the town within which such motor vehicle in the normal course of operation most frequently leaves from and returns to or remains, provided when the owner of such motor vehicle is a resident in any town in the state, it shall be presumed that such motor vehicle most frequently leaves from and returns to or remains in such town unless evidence, satisfactory to the assessor in such town, is submitted to the contrary.

[(h) If the assessor in any town determines that a motor vehicle that is not registered in this state is subject to property tax pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, such assessor shall make a reasonable effort to provide information regarding such motor vehicle's out-of-state registration to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. After receipt of such information, the commissioner shall make a reasonable effort to provide such assessor with information regarding such motor vehicle's make, model, model year, vehicle identification number and the name and mailing address of the registered owner of such motor vehicle. Such assessor shall (1) determine the value of such motor vehicle for purposes of property tax assessment if the information provided by the commissioner is sufficient to make such a determination, and (2) add such value to the taxable grand list in such town for the immediately preceding assessment date. The tax thereon shall be levied, collected and payable and may be appealed, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (f) of this section. One per cent of such collected tax shall be paid by the town into the Special Transportation Fund, established pursuant to section 13b-68, to fund the administrative costs associated with the registration of motor vehicles registered out of state.]

Sec. 15. Section 14-145 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) (1) An owner or lessee of private property, or his or her agent, may remove or cause to be removed, or may use a wheel-locking device to render immovable, any motor vehicle left without authorization on such property in accordance with the provisions of this section and sections 14-145a to 14-145c, inclusive, provided any owner or lessee of private commercial property, or his or her agent, shall install conspicuous signage stating that motor vehicles left without authorization on such private commercial property may be removed or rendered immovable and indicating where such motor vehicle will be stored, how the vehicle may be redeemed and any costs or fees that may be charged.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, an owner or lessee of private commercial property or such owner or lessee's agent may tow any motor vehicle left without authorization on such property and no signage warning of such towing shall be required to be installed by such owner or lessee if such motor vehicle is left (A) in a space reserved, as required in section 14-253a, for exclusive use by persons who are blind and persons with disabilities and such vehicle does not bear a removable windshield placard or special license plate, as defined in section 14-253a, (B) in an area reserved for authorized emergency vehicles, (C) within ten feet of a fire hydrant, as provided in section 14-251, (D) blocking building access, (E) blocking entry or exit from such property, or (F) for forty-eight or more hours.

(3) A lending institution may repossess any motor vehicle, in accordance with the provisions of section 36a-785, by contracting with a wrecker licensed under section 14-66 or an entity exempt from such licensure, as provided in subsection (f) of section 14-66, to tow or otherwise remove such motor vehicle in accordance with the provisions of this section and sections 14-145a to 14-145c, inclusive. In the case of a repossession, no signage as described in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be required.

(4) This section shall not apply to law enforcement, fire-fighting, rescue, ambulance or emergency vehicles which are marked as such, or to motor vehicles left without authorization on property leased by any governmental agency.

(b) (1) (A) When an unauthorized motor vehicle is towed or otherwise removed by a wrecker licensed under section 14-66, or a repossessed motor vehicle is towed or otherwise removed by a wrecker or an exempt entity, the licensee or operator of the wrecker or the exempt entity shall notify the local police department of the tow or removal within two hours. Such notification shall be submitted, in writing, or transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail and the record of such notification shall be retained by such licensee, operator or exempt entity in accordance with the provisions of section 14-66b, as amended by this act.

(B) No such licensee, operator or exempt entity may charge a storage fee for an unauthorized or repossessed motor vehicle for the time it is stored prior to notification of the local police department by the licensee, operator or exempt entity. If such motor vehicle is not claimed within forty-eight hours, the licensee or operator of the wrecker or of the garage where such motor vehicle is stored or the exempt entity shall immediately complete a notice of such tow, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, and mail a copy of such form by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner and all lienholders of record. If the motor vehicle is not claimed by its owner within the time period specified in subsection (e) of section 14-150, the licensee or operator of the wrecker or of the garage where such motor vehicle is stored or the exempt entity may dispose of such motor vehicle in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) and subsections (g) to (j), inclusive, of section 14-150.

(2) (A) When an unauthorized motor vehicle is rendered immovable through use of a wheel-locking device by an owner or lessee of private property or his or her agent, such owner, lessee or agent shall notify the local police department of such action within two hours. Such notification shall be submitted in writing or transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail. The record of such notification shall be retained by such owner, lessee or agent at the private property upon which such action took place, for a period of not less than six months and shall be available for inspection during regular business hours by any sworn member of the local police department or law enforcement officer or inspector designated by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(B) No owner, lessee or agent may charge a fee to remove a wheel-locking device prior to notification of the local police department. The fee charged to remove a wheel-locking device may not be more than fifty dollars. The person claiming the motor vehicle may choose to pay such fee in cash, by check or by debit or credit card. Ten per cent of such fee shall be remitted to the local police department by the owner, lessee or agent. If such motor vehicle is not claimed within forty-eight hours after being rendered immovable, the owner, lessee or agent shall immediately complete a notice that such motor vehicle has been rendered immovable, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, and mail a copy of such form by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of such motor vehicle and all lienholders of record. If the motor vehicle is not claimed by its owner within the time period specified in subsection (e) of section 14-150, the owner, lessee or agent may dispose of such motor vehicle in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) and subsections (g) to (j), inclusive, of section 14-150.

(3) The local police department, not later than forty-eight hours after receiving notification of a tow or removal of an unauthorized motor vehicle pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, or use of a wheel-locking device pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, shall enter the vehicle identification number into the National Crime Information Center database and the Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing System to determine whether such motor vehicle has been reported as stolen. If such motor vehicle has been reported as stolen, the local police department shall immediately notify the department that reported the vehicle as stolen.

(c) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, (1) specifying the circumstances under which title to any motor vehicle towed or stored, or both, or rendered immovable under this section may be transferred to any person, firm or corporation towing, storing or rendering immovable such vehicle, and (2) establishing the procedure whereby such person, firm or corporation may obtain title to such motor vehicle.

(d) No owner or lessee of private property, or his or her agent, shall issue a parking citation by written warning, posted signage or other means to impose a monetary sanction on an owner of a motor vehicle parked on such property.

[(d)] (e) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined fifty dollars, and, for each subsequent offense, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars and not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or be both fined and imprisoned.

Sec. 16. Section 52-557u of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, a person who enters the passenger motor vehicle of another, including entry by force, to remove a child or animal from the passenger motor vehicle shall have an affirmative defense against any civil damages or criminal penalties resulting from the acts or omissions by such person in removing the child or animal from the passenger motor vehicle, if such person:

(1) Has a reasonable belief, at the time such person enters the passenger motor vehicle, that such entry is necessary to remove the child or animal from imminent danger of serious bodily injury;

(2) Uses no more force than reasonably necessary under the circumstances to enter the passenger motor vehicle to remove the child or animal from imminent danger of serious bodily injury based upon the circumstances known by such person at the time;

(3) Reports the entry and the circumstances surrounding such entry to a law enforcement agency or other public safety agency within a reasonable period of time after entering the passenger motor vehicle; and

(4) Takes reasonable steps to ensure the safety, health and well-being of the child or animal after removing the child or animal from the passenger motor vehicle.

(b) The affirmative defense provided in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton negligence.

(c) Nothing in this section shall affect a person's civil liability if the person attempts to render aid to the child or animal in addition to the aid that is authorized under this section.

(d) The provisions of this section are not exclusive, and the affirmative defense shall be in addition to any other defenses or immunities provided by state or federal law or which are available under common law.

(e) As used in this section, "passenger motor vehicle" has the same meaning as provided in section 14-1 and "public safety agency" has the same meaning as provided in section 28-25.

Sec. 17. Section 14-180 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

[If a] A dealer who buys a motor vehicle and holds [it] such vehicle for resale [and procures] shall complete, as the buyer, (1) the certificate of title from the owner or the lienholder, or [submits] (2) a statement on a form prescribed by the commissioner that the title of such vehicle is lost or destroyed in accordance with subsection (a) of section 14-171. [, the dealer need not send the certificate to the commissioner but, upon] Upon transferring [the] such vehicle to another person other than by the creation of a security interest, such dealer shall promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, showing the names and addresses of the transferee and of any lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the resale and the date of such lienholder's security agreement, in the spaces provided [therefor] on [the] such certificate or [as] on an ownership transfer document approved by the commissioner, [prescribes,] and mail or deliver [the] such certificate, or such statement and ownership transfer document, to the commissioner with the transferee's application for a new certificate. This section shall not apply to any motor vehicle that is not required to have a certificate of title and for which the commissioner has not issued a certificate of title.

Sec. 18. Subsection (c) of section 14-279 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(c) Upon receipt of a written report from any school bus operator [or an evidence file from a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system, as defined in section 14-279a,] specifying the license plate number, color and type of any vehicle observed by such operator [or recorded by a camera affixed to such school bus] violating any provision of subsection (a) of this section and the date, approximate time and location of such violation, a police officer shall issue a written warning or a summons to the owner of any such vehicle. [A photographic or digital still or video image that clearly shows the license plate number of a vehicle violating any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be sufficient proof of the identity of such vehicle for purposes of subsection (b) of section 14-107.]

Sec. 19. Subsection (a) of section 14-279a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) As used in [subsection (c) of section 14-279,] this section and section 14-279b, as amended by this act, "live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system" or "monitoring system" means a system with one or more camera sensors and computers that produce live digital and recorded video images of motor vehicles being operated in violation of section 14-279, as amended by this act. [Such] A monitoring system shall produce a live visual image that is viewable remotely and a recorded image of the license plate number of a motor vehicle violating [said] section 14-279, as amended by this act. Such recorded image shall indicate the date, time and location of the violation.

Sec. 20. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 14-279b of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) Whenever a violation of section 14-279, as amended by this act, is detected and recorded by a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system, a state or municipal police officer shall review the evidence file which shall include two or more digital photographs, recorded video or other recorded images and a signed affidavit of a person who witnessed such violation live. If, after such review, such officer determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of [said] section 14-279, as amended by this act has occurred, such officer shall authorize the issuance of a summons for such alleged violation. If such officer authorizes the issuance of a summons for such alleged violation, the law enforcement agency shall, not later than ten days after the alleged violation, mail a summons to the registered owner of the motor vehicle together with a copy of two or more digital photographs, recorded video or other recorded images and a signed affidavit of a person who witnessed such violation live.

(b) As provided in subsection (b) of section 14-107, proof of the registration number of the motor vehicle therein concerned shall be prima facie evidence that the owner was the operator thereof, except that, in the case of a leased or rented motor vehicle, such proof shall be prima facie evidence that the lessee was the operator thereof. A photographic or digital still or video image that clearly shows the license plate number of a vehicle violating section 14-279, as amended by this act, shall be sufficient proof of the identify of such vehicle for purposes of subsection (b) of section 14-107.

Sec. 21. Subsection (a) of section 14-22 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) A motor vehicle registration issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire in accordance with schedules established by the commissioner. If the expiration date of the registration of the motor vehicle, except the registration of a motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire, falls on any day when offices of the commissioner are closed for business, the registration shall be deemed valid for the operation of the motor vehicle until midnight of the next day on which offices of the commissioner are open for business. The commissioner shall prescribe the date and manner of renewing registrations. Not less than [forty-five] thirty days prior to the expiration of any valid registration, the department shall send or transmit, in such manner as the commissioner determines, an application for renewal to the registrant. In the case of a motor vehicle registered to a leasing company licensed pursuant to section 14-15, as amended by this act, the department may send or transmit, in such manner as the commissioner determines, an application for renewal of a leased vehicle to the lessee of such vehicle. The commissioner shall not be required to send or transmit a registrant's or lessee's application by mail if the United States Postal Service has determined that mail is undeliverable to such person at the address for such person that is in the records of the department. Except for the processing of such application at an official emissions inspection station as provided in subsection (b) of this section or by telephone as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the commissioner may require that the application be returned electronically or by mail in order to be processed and approved, with only such exceptions, on a hardship basis, as shall be established by the commissioner in regulations adopted pursuant to chapter 54.

Sec. 22. Subsection (a) of section 14-111g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) For the purposes of this subsection, "moving violation" means any violation of subsection (c) of section 14-36 or section 14-36g, 14-212d, 14-218a, 14-219, 14-222, 14-223, 14-230 to 14-249, inclusive, 14-279, as amended by this act, 14-283, 14-289b, 14-296aa, 14-299, 14-300, 14-301, 14-302 or 14-303, and "suspension violation" means a violation of section 14-222a, 14-224, 14-227a, 14-227m or 14-227n, or section 53a-56b, 53a-57 or 53a-60d. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require any motor vehicle operator who is twenty-four years of age or less, who has been convicted of a moving violation or a suspension violation, or both, committed on two or more occasions to attend a motor vehicle operator's retraining program. The commissioner may require any motor vehicle operator over twenty-four years of age, who has been convicted of a moving violation or a suspension violation or a combination of said violations, committed on three or more occasions to attend a motor vehicle operator's retraining program. The commissioner shall require any motor vehicle operator convicted of traveling more than seventy-five miles per hour or any person operating a commercial motor vehicle convicted of traveling more than sixty-five miles per hour in a highway work zone, as defined in section 14-212d, to attend a motor vehicle operator's retraining program. The commissioner shall notify such operator, in writing, of such requirement. A fee of not more than [sixty] eighty-five dollars shall be charged for the retraining program. The commissioner, after notice and opportunity for hearing, may suspend the motor vehicle operator's license of any such operator who fails to attend or successfully complete the program until the operator successfully completes the program. The hearing shall be limited to any claim of impossibility of the operator to attend the retraining program, or to a determination of mistake or misidentification.

Sec. 23. Subsection (b) of section 14-41 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(b) An original operator's license shall expire within a period not exceeding six years following the date of the operator's next birthday. The fee for such license shall be seventy-two dollars. The commissioner may authorize a contractor, including, but not limited to, an automobile club or association [,] licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-67 on or before July 1, 2007, or any municipality, to issue duplicate licenses and identity cards pursuant to section 14-50a, renew licenses, renew identity cards issued pursuant to section 1-1h and conduct registration transactions at the office or facilities of such contractors or municipalities. The commissioner may authorize such contractors and municipalities to charge a convenience fee, which shall not exceed [five] eight dollars, to each applicant for a license or identity card renewal or duplication, or for a registration transaction.

Sec. 24. Subsection (d) of section 51-56a of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(d) Each person who pays in any sum as a fine or forfeiture for any violation of sections 14-218a, 14-219, 14-222, 14-223, 14-227a, 14-227m, 14-227n, sections 14-230 to 14-240, inclusive, as amended by this act, sections 14-241 to 14-249, inclusive, section 14-279, as amended by this act, for the first offense, sections 14-289b, 14-299, 14-300, 14-300d, 14-301 to 14-303, inclusive, or any regulation adopted under said sections or ordinance enacted in accordance with said sections shall pay an additional fee of [fifteen] twenty dollars. The state shall remit to the municipalities in which the violations occurred the amounts paid under this subsection. Each clerk of the Superior Court or the Chief Court Administrator, or any other official of the Superior Court designated by the Chief Court Administrator, on or before the thirtieth day of January, April, July and October in each year, shall certify to the Comptroller the amount due for the previous quarter under this subsection to each municipality served by the office of the clerk or official.

Sec. 25. Subsections (t) to (aa), inclusive, of section 14-49 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(t) For the registration of each camper, the commissioner shall charge a biennial fee of [sixty-two dollars. On and after July 1, 2011, the fee shall be] seventy-five dollars. The commissioner shall refund one-half of the registration fee for any camper registration [when the number plate or plates and registration certificate are returned] if a person cancels such registration with one year or more remaining until the expiration of such registration and requests such refund prior to the expiration of such registration.

(u) Repealed by P.A. 85-81.

(v) There shall be charged for each motor vehicle adult or youth instruction permit or renewal thereof a fee of nineteen dollars. There shall be charged for each motorcycle instruction permit or renewal thereof a fee of sixteen dollars.

(w) In addition to the fee established for the issuance of motor vehicle number plates and except as provided in subsection (a) of section 14-21b and subsection (c) of section 14-253a, there shall be an additional safety fee of five dollars charged at the time of issuance of any reflectorized safety number plate or set of plates. All moneys derived from said safety fee shall be deposited in the Special Transportation Fund.

(x) For the registration of each high-mileage vehicle, the commissioner shall charge a fee of [thirty-nine dollars for each year or part thereof. On and after July 1, 2011, the fee shall be] forty-seven dollars.

(y) For each special use registration for a period of thirty days or less, the fee shall be twenty-one dollars.

(z) The commissioner shall assess a ten-dollar late fee for renewal of a motor vehicle registration in the event a registrant fails to renew his or her registration within five days after the expiration of such registration, except that no such fee shall be assessed for the late renewal of the registration, pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (m) of this section, of (1) a trailer used exclusively for camping or any other recreational purpose, or (2) a motor vehicle designed or permanently altered in such a way as to provide living quarters for travel or camping. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, if a registrant who is required to register a motor vehicle under section 14-34a fails to renew such registration not later than five days after the expiration date of such registration, the commissioner shall assess a late fee of one hundred fifty dollars.

(aa) The commissioner shall refund one-half of the registration fee for any motor vehicle [when the number plate or plates and registration certificate are returned on or after July 1, 2004,] if a person cancels such registration with one year or more remaining until the expiration of such registration and requests such refund prior to the expiration of such registration.

Sec. 26. Subsection (e) of section 14-44 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(e) (1) Prior to issuing an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement pursuant to [subdivision (3) of] subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall require each applicant to submit to state and national criminal history records checks, conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall complete such state and national criminal history records checks required pursuant to this section within sixty days of receiving such a request for a check of such records. If notice of a state or national criminal history record is received, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, subject to the provisions of section 46a-80, refuse to issue an operator's license bearing such public passenger endorsement and, in such case, shall immediately notify the applicant, in writing, of such refusal. Each applicant for a public passenger endorsement to operate a school bus or student transportation vehicle shall submit to a check of the state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. If notification that the applicant is listed as a perpetrator of abuse on the state child abuse and neglect registry is received, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may refuse to issue an operator's license bearing such public passenger endorsement and, in such case, shall immediately notify the applicant, in writing, of such refusal. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a temporary operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement for operation of a school bus or student transportation vehicle.

(2) The fingerprints of an applicant for a public passenger endorsement to operate a school bus may be captured electronically or by other means in accordance with section 29-17a.

[(2)] (3) For the purposes of this subdivision, "certificate or permit holder" means any person, association, limited liability company or corporation that holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a taxicab, as described in section 13b-97 or holds a permit to operate a motor vehicle in livery service, as described in section 13b-103. Any certificate or permit holder who seeks to employ a person who has applied for a public passenger endorsement to operate a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service under subdivision [(1)] (3) of [this] subsection (a) of this section may permit such person to operate a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service prior to the approval by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of the application for such endorsement, but in no event for a period longer than ninety days after the date of application for such endorsement, provided such certificate or permit holder determines such person meets the requirements to operate a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service set forth in regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. In making such determination, such certificate or permit holder shall (A) conduct, or have a consumer reporting agency regulated under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act conduct, a local, state and national criminal history records check, including a search of state and national sexual offender registry databases, and (B) review such person's driving history record maintained by the commissioner and dated not more than seven days prior to the date of such review. A person who is approved by a certificate or permit holder under this subdivision shall carry and present, upon request, a copy of such person's application to the commissioner and criminal history records check when such person is operating a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service.

Sec. 27. Subsection (c) of section 14-147 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(c) No person shall use any motor vehicle registration or operator's license other than the one issued to him by the commissioner, except as provided in section 14-18, as amended by this act; and no person shall use a motor vehicle registration on any motor vehicle other than that for which such registration has been issued. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection shall be fined not more than [one] five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both.

Sec. 28. (Effective from passage) The Departments of Transportation and Motor Vehicle and the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, within available appropriations, jointly (1) study the requirements of other states located in the northeast region of the United States regarding the transportation of a vehicle, combination of vehicle and trailer or commercial vehicle combination, including each such vehicle's load, which is greater than sixteen feet in length or commonly known as a "superload", (2) review any reports published by the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials regarding the harmonization of state truck permitting requirements and other requirements applicable to the transport of such vehicles, and (3) make recommendations for revisions to state law to ensure consistency with other states in the northeast region. Not later than January 1, 2019, the departments and division shall jointly submit, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, the results of the study to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation.

Sec. 29. Section 14-240 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) No [driver of] person operating a motor vehicle shall follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the speed of such vehicles, the traffic upon and the condition of the highway and weather conditions.

(b) No person operating a motor vehicle shall drive [a] such vehicle in such proximity to another vehicle as to obstruct or impede traffic.

(c) Motor vehicles being driven upon any highway in a caravan shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between such vehicles or combination of vehicles to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to funeral processions or to motor vehicles under official escort or traveling under a special permit.

(d) [Violation of any of the provisions] Any person who violates any provision of this section shall [be] have committed an infraction, [provided] except that (1) any person operating a commercial vehicle combination in violation of any such provision shall have committed a violation and shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one hundred fifty dollars, or (2) if the violation results in a motor vehicle accident, such person shall have committed a violation and shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars.