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H 1993

An Act relative to court filing fees

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Todd Smola

Creates uniform noncriminal hearings for civil motor vehicle infractions with standardized assessments, 20-day payment, and automatic stay during timely appeals.

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 1993

Summary of H.1993: An Act relative to court filing fees

Overview

H.1993, introduced by Representative Todd M. Smola (1st Hampden), is a Massachusetts bill titled “An Act relative to court filing fees.” The bill, filed February 27, 2025, proposes changes to the civil infractions process under chapter 90C by amending how noncriminal hearings are requested and how assessments are imposed and collected. The hearings are focused on civil motor vehicle infractions and are conducted before a magistrate or justice in the district court.

Status and Schedule

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Referral: Referred to the Judiciary Committee
  • Legislative actions show the hearing for the bill being rescheduled to November 4, 2025, with updated start/end times for both in-person (A-1) and virtual formats.

What the bill would do

  • Replace subdivision (4) of Section 3, Chapter 90C, with a new provision governing noncriminal hearings for civil motor vehicle infractions.
  • Allow violators to contest responsibility by submitting a signed, written request for a noncriminal hearing on the back of the citation and mailing it to the registrar within 20 days.
  • If no timely request is made, a hearing shall not be granted unless the registrar determines there was good cause beyond the violator’s control.
  • The registrar must notify the clerk-magistrate in the district where the infraction occurred, who then arranges (or not) a hearing date and notifies the involved police agency and violator.
  • Hearings can be conducted by a magistrate or a justice. Appeals from a magistrate’s decision go to a justice; there is no jury trial for civil motor vehicle infractions.
  • The citation remains admissible as prima facie evidence. Either party may obtain compulsory process for witnesses; the magistrate/justice may order access to essential documents with advance showing of need.
  • Outcome: the magistrate/justice must issue a finding of responsible or not responsible based on a preponderance of credible evidence.
  • If found responsible, the violator must pay to the registrar an assessment not to exceed the scheduled assessment for that infraction. This assessment must follow guidelines set by the Chief Justice (uniformly applied) and may include minimum or prescribed amounts.
  • Payment deadline: the violator must pay within 20 days after personal notification or mailed notice of the decision, unless a longer period is allowed for good cause.
  • Stay and post-appeal payments: the obligation to pay is automatically stayed during timely appeals to the appellate division or appellate court. If an adverse appellate decision is issued, the violator must pay within 20 days of that decision (if not further appealed).

Who is affected

  • Civil motor vehicle infraction violators who seek a noncriminal hearing.
  • District court clerks, magistrates, justices, registrar offices, and police agencies involved in civil infraction cases.
  • Court administration responsible for implementing uniform assessment guidelines.

Financial and procedural impacts

  • Introduces and standardizes an assessment mechanism for civil infractions, potentially affecting the amount violators owe.
  • Ties payment timing to notice and appeals, with automatic stays during timely appeals.
  • Establishes administrative procedures (notice, hearings, guidelines) to promote uniform assessments.

Related information

  • Related bill: HD 2677 (replaces)
  • Similar matter previously filed: House No. 1765 of 2023-2024

Sponsor

  • Primary sponsor: Todd M. Smola (Warren)

This summary covers the substantive changes the bill proposes, the process for noncriminal hearings, and how assessments would be administered and collected, along with the main procedural timelines and who would be affected.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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