Owners of smaller trailers could see a drop in fines when they’re late in registering non-motorized vehicles, and other Coloradans could get a chance to argue for a late fee waiver.
Two Democrat-backed bills aimed at those goals passed a Senate committee Wednesday, while three GOP-supported proposals that would have more drastically reduced fines died.
Democrats touted their work on addressing constituents’ concerns over a controversial 2009 scheme dubbed “FASTER” that boosted car registration fees and late penalties to fund critical bridge and road construction.
Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, co-sponsored House Bill 1211, which would drop from $100 to $10 the late fine on trailers weighing less than 2,000 pounds.
“We listened, and we decided it didn’t make sense,” Williams said, pointing out that registration on the smaller trailers can be as little as $15.
A GOP bill would have extended the late-fee reduction to non-motorized trailers of all sizes. Another Republican proposal would have required the state to refund car owners part of their annual fees when cars are stored, unused on their own property.
The second successful bill by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, allows the state Department of Revenue to develop rules for a late-fee appeal process for drivers who are late for reasons beyond their control.
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com.
