2/17/05-The Senate Finance Committee voted 8-4 on Feb. 16 to kill a bill that would have levied hefty fines on the worst-of-the-worst drivers in the state.
The revenue generated – estimated at $180 million a year – would have been used to help support a House transportation initiative approaching $1 billion.
Under the “abuser fee” approach, previously passed by the House, Virginia drivers who compile numerous misdemeanor convictions for moving violations would have been hit with fees ranging from $250 to $750.
Motorists convicted of a serious traffic offense would have paid extra fees in addition to the criminal fines imposed by a court.
The plan set the fees, charged annually for three years, at $200 for driving with a suspended license, $350 for aggressive or reckless driving and $300 for driving while intoxicated.
Virginia drivers who rack up four or more demerit points on their driving records would have been hit with increased fines of $300 a year for two years and $100 more in the third year.
HB1563 allowed drivers with a large number of demerits on their records to take a safe-driving class and get five points taken off their driving records, enough to avoid the increased fines.
Senators said the fines were too high and that they would be levied only on Virginia drivers. They questioned whether the fines would be a stable source of funding and insisted a statewide fuel tax hike would be fairer.

2/15/05-The House voted 57-40 on Feb. 7 to approve legislation to impose additional fees on the worst-of-the-worst drivers to help pay for building new roads. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Under the “abuser fee” approach, Virginia drivers who compile numerous misdemeanor convictions for moving violations would be hit with fees ranging from $250 to $750.
Motorists convicted of a serious traffic offense would pay extra fees in addition to the criminal fines imposed by a court.
The plan sets the fees, charged annually for three years, at $200 for driving with a suspended license, $350 for aggressive or reckless driving and $300 for driving while intoxicated.
Virginia drivers who rack up four or more demerit points on their driving records would be hit with increased fines of $300 a year for two years and $100 more in the third year.
HB1563, sponsored by Delegate Thomas D. Rust, R-Fairfax, allows drivers with a large number of demeritus on their records to take a safe-driving class and get five points taken off their driving records, enough to avoid the increased fines.
For House bill status, call (804) 698-1510. In Virginia, call 1-800-892-6948.

12/20/04-Delegate Thomas D. Rust, R-Herndon, has introduced legislation to place annual fines of $100 to $300 on the worst-of-the-worst drivers to help pay for badly needed road work.
The so-called “abuser fee” approach is a one-two punch that could net upwards of $140 million for the state’s transportation backlog.
Under HB1563, the Department of Motor Vehicles would annually review every driving record on file. Anyone with six points on their license would be assessed a $100 fine with an additional $50 for every additional point. That fee would be separate from the cost of the speeding tickets or other infractions from which the points resulted.
In addition, people with more severe driving infractions would receive larger bills. Anyone convicted of driving while intoxicated would be fined $300 a year for three years above and beyond what they would normally pay for that citation. Driving on a suspended or revoked license would net an offender a $200 fine. Anyone convicted of aggressive or reckless driving would be fined $250.
It is part of a legislative package with HB1564.
Another proposal – HB1564 – is similar in scope, but its collection mechanisms differ.
The bill has been forwarded to the House Transportation Committee for consideration once the 2005 session convenes Jan. 12.
For House bill status, call (804) 698-1510. In Virginia, call 1-800-892-6948.
Sen. Jay O’Brien, R-Clifton, intends to introduce companion legislation in the Senate.