BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1386
85R488 JTS-D	By: Taylor, Van; Estes
	Transportation
	4/6/2017
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Under current law, a county tax assessor-collector or the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) may refuse to register or renew the registration of a motor vehicle if it has received written notice from a toll project entity that the owner of the vehicle has been finally determined to be a habitual violator of toll non-payment. The amount of unpaid tolls from Collin County residents is approximately $22.7 million for the year 2014. The tax assessor-collectors of all operational counties of the North Texas Toll Authority (NTTA) are compliant with this program, except one.

 

S.B. 1386 is a local bill that requires Collin County to participate in the program that refuses to register or renew the registration of a motor vehicle if it has received written notice from a toll project entity that the owner of the vehicle has been finally determined to be a habitual violator of toll non-payment. The intent of the legislation is to require Collin County to participate in the toll scofflaw program in order to create parity amongst NTTA's operational counties and toll users who choose to use a toll road.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1386 amends current law relating to the use of habitual toll violator remedies by certain toll project entities.

 

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 372.101, Transportation Code, to create an exception as provided by Section 372.115(b), which is added by this Act.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 372.115, Transportation Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 372.115. New heading: USE OF REMEDIES OPTIONAL; EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN COUNTY TOLL AUTHORITIES. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Creates an exception as provided by Subsection (b) and makes a nonsubstantive change.

 

(b) Requires a county acting under Chapter 284 (Causeways, Bridges, Tunnels, Turnpikes, Ferries, and Highways in Certain Counties) that participates in a regional tollway authority under Chapter 366 (Regional Tollway Authorities) to pursue the habitual violator remedies under this subchapter (Nonpayment of Tolls; Remedies).

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.