Young's parking ticket amnesty bill has five sponsors and no committee yet

A proposal to bring back parking ticket amnesty drew criticism this week from an Inquirer columnist, who argued in an Oct. 23 column that ticket debt mostly belongs to repeat offenders and that enforcement keeps curb space turning over. The bill's sponsor, 5th District Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr., has framed it as relief for families facing higher costs.

If you have old parking tickets, here is what the bill would do, and where it stands.

What Bill 260853 says

Bill 260853 was introduced Oct. 15. It tells the Philadelphia Parking Authority to run an amnesty program from Jan. 1 through March 31, 2027 (bill text). It reuses the rules of the city's 2018 amnesty and updates the dates:

• The 2018 program's cutoff for old tickets was 2013. This one moves it to 2021, so violations issued before 2021 are the ones eligible for forgiveness.
• The newer years that must be dealt with become 2021 through 2026.
• Towing and storage fees incurred before 2023 would be eligible.
• The existing four-year wait before another amnesty would start counting from the end of this one.

The bill keeps the 2018 program's payment terms, default rules and reporting requirements. Broad and Market's summary of the Oct. 15 session describes the deal as forgiveness for pre-2021 tickets when newer fines are paid, with payment plans allowed. It quotes Young: "Working families are struggling with everything being so high yet income being stagnant" (Broad and Market).

How the last one went

The 2018 amnesty ran March 1 to April 30, 2018. Nearly 25,000 people took part, and roughly $9 million in debt was forgiven while about $2.5 million was collected, including first payment-plan installments, WHYY reported. The average recovery was about $100 per person.

What our records add

• No committee yet. The bill's cover page says "Not Assigned to Committee," and our record shows only its introduction. A Philadelphia bill needs a committee referral and hearing before it can come up for a final vote. It has waited nine days so far.
• Sponsors. Young plus Councilmembers Anthony Phillips, Cindy Bass, Jim Harrity and Mark Squilla.
• Part of a set. On Sept. 17, Young introduced two other bills that would lower what residents pay the city. Both are in the Committee on Streets and Services with no hearing listed:

- Bill 260699 would cut speed camera fines: from $100 to $50 for 11 to 19 mph over the limit, from $125 to $75 for 20 to 29 mph over, and from $150 to $100 for 30 mph or more (bill text). It would apply only to violations after it takes effect. - Bill 260698 would excuse residents from certain trash fines when the city misses collection on the scheduled day, with refunds and an appeal process.

• The PPA is already under Council review. Young's Resolution 260735, adopted Sept. 17, authorized hearings on the Parking Authority's enforcement during this summer's events, including the World Cup. Phillips' Resolution 260712 authorized hearings on the city's "ticket-to-tow" rule the same day. Separately, Squilla is on the short list to lead the PPA, as we reported Friday.

What's next

The amnesty bill first needs a committee referral. For it to work as written, the PPA would have to start the program on Jan. 1, and the bill sets short deadlines for the authority to appoint staff and send notices once it becomes law. Council meets next on Oct. 29. Check the bill's page for a referral.