Local violation fines

Sponsored by Rep. Larry Hosch (DFL-St. Joseph), HF847 would permit a city or county to impose an administrative fine for certain traffic violations, such as driving over the speed limit by less than 10 mph or rolling through a stop sign. However, it failed to gain the approval of the House Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee Feb. 27.

Winona Police Chief Frank Pomeroy said that when his city began issuing the $45 fine — which does not show up on a driver’s record — instead of issuing tickets, there was a decrease in accidents.

But William Gillespie, executive director of the Minnesota Police & Peace Officers Association, said the bill is not about safety, but “revenue enhancement.”

Gillespie said that when he served as a peace officer in Ramsey County, what the finances of a ticket were, or where the finances went, were irrelevant. “A traffic tag is a teaching tool, not a means to generate money for the state of Minnesota.”

Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder), who is also the Lake Crystal police chief, was even more direct. “You’re changing the whole spectrum of law enforcement here today.”

Cornish said that, in his many years as a police officer, he has never written a ticket for someone driving less than 10 mph over the speed limit, or for anyone rolling through a stop sign. He gave them a warning.

This is “a money grab”, he said. “It’s a burden on our citizens to make up for the city’s shortfall.”

Hosch argued that the bill was not a “money grab,” and presented a report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor that indicated administrative fines did not provide a substantial form of income for cities and counties.

A companion bill, SF1008, sponsored by Sen. Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville), awaits action by the Senate Transportation Committee.