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Bill

A 305

Increases the maximum civil penalty

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Catalina Cruz

A 305 raises the maximum civil penalties under existing statutes, boosting enforcement deterrence and widening financial risk for violators and affected entities.

REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 305

Summary of Bill A 305 — Increases the Maximum Civil Penalty

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 305
  • Title: Increases the maximum civil penalty
  • Status: Referenced to Judiciary (no further actions listed)
  • Introduced: January 8, 2025
  • Classification: Bill
  • Primary Sponsor: Catalina Cruz
  • Related Bills (prior-session): S 5054, S 2700, A 9846, A 393

Note: The information provided does not include the bill’s full text or specific provisions. This summary reflects the metadata and typical implications of a bill with this title and status.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to increase the maximum civil penalties that can be imposed under one or more existing statutory regimes.
  • By elevating penalty ceilings, the bill seeks to strengthen deterrence and enforcement for violations that fall under civil enforcement actions.
  • As introduced and referred to the Judiciary, the measure may target penalties tied to civil or administrative violations enforced by state or local agencies.

Key provisions (pending the full text)

Because the actual statutory language is not provided, the following cannot be confirmed and should be verified in the full bill text:
- The specific statutes or programs whose civil penalties would be increased.
- The new maximum penalty amounts and any tiered or per-offense structure.
- Whether increases apply universally or only in certain contexts (e.g., consumer protection, environmental violations, labor/ workplace enforcement, tax, etc.).
- Any exemptions, carve-outs, or special rules (e.g., for small businesses, repeated violations, or bona fide compliance efforts).
- Procedures for enforcement, penalties assessments, civil settlement options, and appeal rights.
- Effective date and any transitional provisions.

Affected parties and entities

  • Primary effect: Violators subject to civil penalties under the statutes that are amended by A 305.
  • Enforcement agencies: State or local agencies responsible for civil enforcement actions would implement and administer the higher penalties.
  • Business and individuals: Potentially larger financial exposure for noncompliance; may influence compliance incentives and risk calculus.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Current path: Referred to the Judiciary committee, indicating initial consideration within a committee that handles civil and enforcement matters.
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would typically move through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the chamber of introduction before crossing to the other house (if applicable). A final enacted bill would require signature or a comparable executive endorsement and would specify an effective date.

Related legislation

  • The bill lists several related or prior-session bills (S 5054, S 2700, A 9846, A 393), which may reflect similar proposals to increase civil penalties or related enforcement reforms. Reviewing those texts could provide context on intent and scope.

Notes for readers

  • To fully understand A 305’s impact, the full text is needed to identify which penalties are being increased, by how much, and under what conditions.
  • If you are assessing potential effects (e.g., for compliance planning or policy analysis), monitor updates from the Judiciary committee and compare with the related bills cited.

If you’d like, I can incorporate the full bill text once available and provide a detailed, point-by-point comparison of changes and their practical implications.

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

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