BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2247 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 2, 2012 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair AB 2247 (Lowenthal) - As Amended: April 18, 2012 Policy Committee: Public SafetyVote: 6-0 Transporation 14-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill revises the statute that makes a violation of unauthorized sales or peddling on or in a public transit facility or vehicle an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 and by community service not to exceed 48 hours, to allow the option of handling administratively as a civil matter. FISCAL EFFECT Negligible. COMMENTS Rationale . Under current law, public transit infractions are generally enforced by giving a violator a citation with a court date, which the violator signs promising to appear. The court sends a notice to the alleged violator reminding him or her of the court date, listing the bail amount, and stating that he/she must appear unless the bail is paid. Existing law, however, also allows specified transit authorities to establish an alternative civil infraction process for specified transit violations that occur within their systems. Handling these infractions administratively expedites the penalty process, reduces court time and expense, and avoids hundreds of dollar in assessments that an offender may be unable to pay, which can lead to a reduced base fine. For example, a $75 fine with assessments can exceed $400. A $250 fine with assessments can exceed $1,000. AB 2247 Page 2 This bill authorizes the use of the administrative procedure for unauthorized peddling on or in specified public transit property. Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081