BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1654

By: Watson

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that electronic transmission of toll invoices would be less expensive than the mailing of paper invoices for the Texas Department of Transportation and would be more convenient for many customers. S.B. 1654 seeks to address this issue by authorizing a notice of toll nonpayment to be sent as an electronic record under certain conditions.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1654 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to provide that a notice of toll nonpayment under an alternative tolling method, instead of being sent by first class mail, be sent as an electronic record to a registered owner of a vehicle that agrees to the terms of the electronic record transmission of the information.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.