By Bob Katzen

The Municipalities and Regional Government Committee held a hearing on legislation that would prohibit cities and town from imposing additional financial penalties on a person who does not pay their parking ticket by the due date.

Sponsor Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfield) said his bill aims to eliminate the excessively harsh penalties that municipalities impose on initial parking fines for non-payment every 45 days. “These additional penalties disproportionately affect low-income communities, where many residents struggle to pay the original fine,” said Gonzalez. “Adding further penalties only increases their financial burden.”

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on several bills including:

REQUIRE GUN OWNERS TO HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE (H 1836) – Would require anyone who possesses, carries or owns a firearm, rifle or shotgun to maintain a liability insurance policy, bond or deposit meeting standards set by the Commissioner of Insurance. Violators would be fined between $500 and $5,000 and/or sentenced to up to one year in prison. The measure exempts temporary possession at licensed gun clubs.

“I filed [the bill] because requiring insurance encourages responsible ownership, much like auto insurance does for drivers,” said Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick). “By incentivizing safe behavior, this bill will help prevent accidental shootings and reduce the public costs of gun violence across the commonwealth.”