Bill Description: House Bill 535 would increase fines and impose possible jail time for certain traffic offenses. 

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Does it directly or indirectly create or increase penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for nonviolent crimes? Conversely, does it eliminate or decrease penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for non-violent crimes?

House Bill 535 would amend Section 49-1422, Idaho Code, to increase the maximum penalty for a first offense of unlawfully passing a stopped school bus by 50% from $200 to $300. 

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Under current law, the penalty for a second offense is a fine of "no less than" $400 and the penalty for a third or subsequent offense is a fine of "no less than" $600. 

House Bill 535 would increase the financial penalties for a second or subsequent offense, raising the fine to a minimum of $600 and a maximum of $1,000. It would also add the possibility of "imprisonment in the county jail" for up to 6 months! 

It is important to note that no harm need be inflicted for someone to receive the significantly enhanced penalties called for by this bill. A traffic offense that inflicts no harm has no victim to restore, and incarceration for a victimless crime is always excessive.

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