No driver’s license suspension proposed for failure to pay fine, parking ticket

If you don’t pay your parking ticket, you may catch a break.

HF1061 would forbid suspension of a person’s driver’s license based solely on failing to pay a traffic ticket, parking fine or surcharge.

Sponsored by Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul), the bill was approved Tuesday by the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division and sent to the House Transportation Finance and Policy Division. The companion, SF1376, sponsored by Sen. Dan Hall (R-Burnsville), awaits action by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.

Rep. John Lesch

Under current law, a person’s driver’s license must be suspended if he or she fails to appear in court in response to a traffic citation, fails to pay a fine following a traffic violation, or is convicted of driving after suspension or revocation.

Bill proponents testified that suspending a driver’s license for unpaid traffic tickets often leads to job loss and mounting debt without improving public safety.

Leah Jackson, an advocate for the Minnesota Asset Building Coalition, testified about her experience where one traffic violation with a fine and fees of $135 grew to $900 in additional fees and penalties when she unknowingly missed the initial payment deadline. Her driver’s license was suspended because of that, but the notice never reached her, and she received even more fines.

Jackson’s money woes continued when her insurance company dropped her and she could only find coverage from another company for nearly $1,000 a month.

Now, four years after her first infraction, she said her total expenses have added up to $16,000.

Mary Ellen Heng, Minneapolis deputy city attorney, said the bill would free her office to focus on prosecuting more serious offenses such as DWI, gross misdemeanors and felonies.

“You shouldn’t have to pay five years for one mistake you’ve made,” she said.