OLR Bill Analysis

HB 5533

AN ACT CONCERNING LOCAL APPEALS OF DECISIONS OF LOCAL TRAFFIC AUTHORITIES.

SUMMARY:

This bill expands the types of municipal traffic authority decisions that people can appeal to the municipality's legislative body or the Superior Court for the municipality's judicial district. It allows them to appeal orders or regulations installing traffic control signals, devices, signs, or markings. Under current law, aggrieved people can appeal orders or regulations establishing through streets, making safety zones, imposing parking restrictions, designating loading or unloading zones, or regarding any other legally authorized traffic-related act.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2009

BACKGROUND

Traffic Authorities

As Table 1 shows, the law designates different local bodies or officials to serve as a municipality's traffic authority. The designation depends mainly on whether a municipality has a board of police commissioners.

Table 1: Municipal Traffic Authorities

Jurisdiction

Traffic Authority

Appeals Body

City, town, or borough with police commission

Police Commission

City:

Court of Common Council or

Board of Aldermen

Town:

Town council

Board of Selectmen

Borough:

Warden and burgesses

City, town, or borough without commission but with a regularly appointed police force

City or town manager

Police chief

Police superintendent or any legally elected or appointed official or board

Any official having similar powers and duties

Town with no city or borough and a regularly appointed police force

Board of selectmen

COMMITTEE ACTION

Planning and Development Committee

Joint Favorable

Yea

20

Nay

0

(03/06/2009)