This amendment exempts assessments related to the Victims Compensation Fund from the courts’ authority to waive, modify, and suspend fines and fees.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill status is 'Stricken,' meaning it was removed from consideration and likely will not become law.

Amendment to Limit Court Waivers on Certain Fines

This amendment stops courts from waiving fees that fund victim compensation, clarifies that restitution is not a fee eligible for waivers, and blocks hardship relief for specific traffic camera violations.

What This Bill Does

• Exempts assessments related to the Victims Compensation Fund from court authority to waive or modify them.
• Clarifies that the word 'fee' in waiver laws does not include money paid as restitution.
• Prevents courts from applying hardship waivers to toll violations, red light camera tickets, and speed camera tickets.

Who It Names or Affects

• Courts that handle fine and fee decisions
• People who owe assessments related to the Victims Compensation Fund
• Individuals with violations from electronic speed monitoring or traffic light cameras

Terms To Know

Victims Compensation Fund assessments

Money collected that is exempt from court waivers, modifications, or suspensions.

Restitution

Payment made by a person who broke the law directly to the victim, which is not considered a 'fee' for waiver purposes.

Hardship waiver

A court decision that removes or lowers fines and fees, though this amendment limits where it can be used.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill was stricken in the House on March 24, 2026.
• No effective date is listed because the legislation did not pass its final chamber vote shown here.

Official Summary Text

This amendment exempts assessments related to the Victims Compensation Fund from the courts’ authority to waive, modify, and suspend fines and fees.
It clarifies that the word “fee” as used in the hardship waiver statute does not include restitution.
It also clarifies that toll violations, red light, and speed camera violations are not eligible for hardship waiver or modification.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Snyder-Hall

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 133

AMEND House Bill No. 133 by deleting lines 22 and 23 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“

(a) (1) For purposes of this section “fee” includes a cost, penalty, assessment, or any other monetary obligation that is related to a criminal case or a motor vehicle offense. “Fee” does not include restitution or a fine.

(2) A hardship waiver under this section may not be applied to an offense that originates in the voluntary assessment center, a civil penalty under § 4129 of Title 21, or to an electronic speed monitoring violation or traffic light signal monitoring violation under Chapter 41 of Title 21.

”.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 133 by deleting lines 67 through 69 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“

(f) (1) Except as set forth under paragraph (f)(2) of this section and notwithstanding any law or court rule to the contrary, the court may choose not to impose or may at any time waive, suspend, or modify any fine or fee including those otherwise deemed mandatory or not subject to waiver or suspension.

(2) The penalty assessment under § 9016 of this title may not be waived, suspended, or modified under this section.

”.

SYNOPSIS

This amendment exempts assessments related to the Victims Compensation Fund from the courts’ authority to waive, modify, and suspend fines and fees.

It clarifies that the word “fee” as used in the hardship waiver statute does not include restitution.

It also clarifies that toll violations, red light, and speed camera violations are not eligible for hardship waiver or modification.