The Texas State University Police Department announced a one-time parking ticket amnesty program on Dec. 5. The program will be available from Dec. 8 to Dec. 12.
According to an email from University Police, a one-time opportunity to receive 70% off tickets distributed between Jan. 1, 2020, and Aug. 15, 2025, will be offered to the Texas State community. The program comes as UPD begins to transfer all unpaid parking tickets to a new billing system.
UPD said the amnesty program was brought forth in collaboration with Student Government and the Campus Safety Committee.
Tickets that qualify for the discount include excessive ticket fees, no Texas State parking permit displayed and parking out of zone.
The University Star previously reported that UPD hired Walker Consultants, an outside company, to “overhaul the university’s parking and transportation policies.” Walker Consultants said parking services should not rely solely on parking citation revenue for funding.
At the Sept. 2 Campus Safety Committee meeting, UPD Chief Matthew Carmichael proposed providing a discount for tickets that are paid off quickly.
“Our excessive violation fee doesn’t necessarily conform with what happens in parking nationally,” Carmichael said at the Sept. 2 meeting. “That excessive fee usually applies if you do not pay your fines, not if you’ve paid your fines.”
Students can visit the Texas State Parking Portal to receive the discount starting Dec. 8. Due to the implementation of the amnesty program, the parking portal will be inaccessible Dec. 6-7.
