BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 1643

85R12129 JAM-F

By: Watson

 

Transportation

 

4/6/2017

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current law provides that electronic toll collection customer account information, including contact and payment information and trip data, is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Public Information Act. This provision is overly broad in that it precludes toll project entities in the state from sharing information that would help streamline customer service and toll collection efforts, even if the toll project entities agree to maintain the information's confidentiality.

 

S.B. 1643 allows the Texas Department of Transportation to provide electronic toll collection customer account information to a local toll project entity through a contract for customer service, toll collection, or enforcement purposes. However, S.B. 1643 also requires that such a contract ensure the confidentiality of the electronic toll collection customer account information. Taken together, these provisions protect customer's privacy while increasing the efficiency of the state's toll systems.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1643 amends current law relating to electronic toll collection customer account information.

 

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 Sections 228.057(e) and (f), Transportation Code, as follows:

 

(e) Provides that electronic toll collection customer account information, including contact and payment information and trip data is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code, and� may be provided by the Texas Department of Transportation by contract to a local toll project entity, as defined by Section 373.001 (Definitions), for customer service, toll collection, or enforcement purposes.

 

(f) Requires a contract for the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or operation of a toll project, or for the provision of toll collection account information under Subsection (e)(2), to ensure the confidentiality of all electronic toll collection customer account information under Subsection (e)(1), rather than Subsection (e).

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.