ESB 498 – Ordinance enforcement

Passed House Conference Committee Report, Senate Bill 0498 This Conference Committee report, passed by the House but still pending before the Senate allows a county or municipality to provide for penalties of up to $7,500 for a second violation of an ordinance (the first violation remains capped at $2,500). This does not apply to a parking or traffic violation. Also, it allows the county or municipality to provide for community service in lieu of the defendant paying a fine. Community service has to be by agreement of the defendant and the county or municipal attorney and has to be in writing. The fine would be assessed if the defendant failed to abide by the community service agreement.