Bill Text: TX SB198 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to payment for the use of a highway toll project.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-14 - Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 1, 2020 [SB198 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB198-Enrolled.html
 
 
  S.B. No. 198
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to payment for the use of a highway toll project.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 228.057, Transportation Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
         (i)  The department shall provide electronic toll collection
  customers with an option to authorize automatic payment of tolls
  through the withdrawal of funds from the customer's bank account.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 372, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 372.054, 372.055, 372.056, 372.057,
  and 372.058 to read as follows:
         Sec. 372.054.  USE OF TRANSPONDER BY ELECTRONIC TOLL
  COLLECTION CUSTOMER. An electronic toll collection customer using
  a transponder must:
               (1)  activate and mount the transponder in accordance
  with the procedures provided by the toll project entity; 
               (2)  provide to the toll project entity accurate
  license plate and customer contact information; and 
               (3)  update as necessary the information provided under
  Subdivision (2).
         Sec. 372.055.  DETERMINATION OF ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION
  CUSTOMER ACCOUNT BEFORE PAYMENT SOLICITATION. (a)  A toll project
  entity may not send an invoice or a notice of unpaid tolls to the
  registered owner of a vehicle soliciting payment of a toll or any
  related administrative fee unless the entity first determines, for
  a toll collection customer using a transponder, whether there is an
  active electronic toll collection customer account that
  corresponds to the transponder.
         (b)  A toll project entity shall satisfy an unpaid toll, at
  the standard electronic collection rate and without the imposition
  of administrative or late fees, from an active electronic toll
  collection customer account discovered under Subsection (a) if:
               (1)  the account:
                     (A)  corresponds to a transponder issued by the
  entity; and
                     (B)  is sufficiently funded; and
               (2)  the customer to whom the transponder was issued
  has complied with Section 372.054. 
         (c)  Regardless of whether an active electronic toll
  collection customer account is discovered under Subsection (a), a
  toll project entity may send an invoice or notice for payment to
  collect an unpaid toll and related costs if:
               (1)  the account is insufficiently funded; or 
               (2)  the electronic toll collection customer's failure
  to comply with Section 372.054 prevents satisfaction of the unpaid
  toll from the electronic toll collection customer account.
         (d)  If in complying with Subsection (a) a toll project
  entity discovers that a transponder issued by the entity did not
  work correctly more than 10 times in a 30-day period and must be
  replaced, the entity shall send to the customer to whom the
  transponder was issued a notice stating that the transponder is not
  working correctly and must be replaced.
         (e)  A toll project entity is not required to send additional
  notice to an electronic toll collection customer under Subsection
  (d) if the toll project entity has sent notice to the customer under
  that subsection and the customer does not replace the transponder.
         Sec. 372.056.  INFORMATION REQUIRED ON NOTICE OR INVOICE. A
  notice or an invoice of unpaid tolls sent by a toll project entity
  must clearly state that the document is a bill and the recipient is
  expected to pay the amount indicated.
         Sec. 372.057.  METHOD OF SENDING INVOICE OR NOTICE.  (a)  An
  invoice or notice provided to a person by a toll project entity may
  be provided by: 
               (1)  first class mail; or
               (2)  e-mail if the person has provided an e-mail
  address to the entity and has elected to receive notice
  electronically.
         (b)  A toll project entity is not required to send an invoice
  or notice as required by Subsection (a) if the entity does not have
  access to the contact information provided in the electronic toll
  collection customer account.
         Sec. 372.058.  INFORMATION SHARING AND CONTRACTS BETWEEN
  TOLL PROJECT ENTITIES.  (a)  Notwithstanding the confidentiality
  of electronic toll collection customer account information,
  including confidentiality under Sections 228.057(e), 366.179(d),
  370.177(m), 370.178(d), and 372.051(a), a toll project entity with
  an electronic toll collection customer may provide to another toll
  project entity electronic toll collection customer account
  information for the purposes of customer service, toll collection,
  enforcement, or reporting requirements.
         (b)  The provision of electronic toll collection customer
  account information under Subsection (a) must ensure the
  confidentiality of all account information.
         (c)  A contract between toll project entities for the
  collection of tolls must:
               (1)  specify which entity is responsible for making the
  determinations, sending notices, and taking other actions, as
  applicable, under Section 372.055; and
               (2)  include terms to ensure that customers do not
  receive invoices from more than one entity for the same
  transaction.
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to the collection of a toll incurred on or after the effective date
  of this Act. The collection of a toll incurred before the effective
  date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before
  the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect
  for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2020.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 198 passed the Senate on
  March 27, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 21, 2019, by the
  following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 198 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 14, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 138,
  Nays 1, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor
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