AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), a political subdivision of the State of Texas under Chapter 366 (Regional Tollway Authorities), Transportation Code, is charged with advancing mobility projects and must pursue and collect all tolls due.  When motorists use toll roads without paying, NTTA sends them a bill for the unpaid tolls.  Some motorists have found that miniscule toll bills can end up costing hundreds of dollars after NTTA adds on penalties and administrative fees.  S.B. 343 seeks to address this problem by lowering from $100 to $50 the cap on administrative fees that a toll road authority may charge for the collection of an unpaid toll.

 

As proposed, S.B. 343 amends current law relating to the administrative fee charged for the collection of an unpaid toll.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 366.178(c), Transportation Code, to reduce from $100 to $50 the administrative fee that an authority is authorized to charge to recover the cost of collecting an unpaid toll, if a person fails to pay the proper toll.

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.