Lobbying for the end of criminal legal fines & fees at the NC General Assembly (2023)

*The NC General Assembly adopted a state budget for the fiscal year. There is a provision in this budget that will require the Administrative Office of the Courts to report the dollar amounts in their annual fines & fees waiver report. Unfortunately, we fear this provision will have a chilling effect on judges waiving fines and fees across the state.*

 Active Bills in the 2023-2024 North Carolina General Assembly Session

• Senate Bill 339 - Modify Limited Driving Privilege/Criminal Laws: This bill will effectively end permanent suspensions for three or more moving violations and permanent suspensions for driving while license revoked convictions that occurred before 2015 for three or more convictions of driving while license revoked. Read the Second Chance Alliance one-pager here.
  
  

• House Bill 888 - Remove Barriers to Employment from Court Debt: This bi-partisan bill would end suspensions for unpaid traffic-related fines and fees and for missing a court date. The bill would immediately reinstate licenses that are suspended solely for failure to appear or failure to pay. The bill will also allocate funds to the court to create a text service that would remind motorists about their court dates and monies owed. Read the Second Chance Alliance one-pager here.

Bills No Longer Under Consideration in this Legislative Session

• House Bill 636 - Criminal Justice Debt Reform Act: This bill is a fines and fees bill that would address several issues. It would do many things, including end debt-based driver’s license suspensions, make the community service fee waivable, and repeal the $25 installment fee. Read the Second Chance Alliance one-pager here.
  
  

• House Bill 668 - Study on Eliminating Unauthorized Substance Tax: This bill directs the Revenue Laws Study Committee to study the costs and benefits of eliminating the Unauthorized Substance Tax, the NC Drug Tax. Read the Second Chance Alliance one-pager here.