CBS2 Exclusive: New Bill Could Put End To Processing Fees On Dismissed Tickets In Nassau Co.
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A new bill could put an end to processing fees on dismissed parking tickets in Nassau County.
As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, many drivers are irate over a county policy of charging $30 even when tickets are dismissed.
Oyster Bay resident Carla Acquaviva is furious.
"A $30 processing fee even though I'm not guilty -- I have a permit," Acquaviva said. "That is why I am here fighting the $30 surcharge."
Even though her ticket was dismissed, Acquaviva is still required to pay the processing fee. Those are the current rules in Nassau County.
But that could soon change.
"The person who caused the ticket to be written should be responsible for the processing," said Nassau Traffic and Parking Violations Director.
CBS2 was the first to expose the processing fees. And while Suffolk County dropped the fees following the original report, Nassau did not.
State Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Queens) says he wants to put an end to fee fiascos.
His bill debated and just passed both houses. It would prohibit any village, county or municipality from assessing charges or fees for any dismissed traffic violation.
"If you did not do this story, and I did not see it on TV, the people would still be paying this unjust fee," DenDekker told McLogan.
Nassau, for one, stands by its policy, and could be among the municipalities lobbying the governor not to sign the bill.
It is expected that Gov. Andrew Cuomo will make up his mind in the coming weeks whether or not to sign the "no fees bill" into law.
