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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1019 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2256
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act establishing a monthly payment plan option for E-Z Drive MA tolls.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Jason M. LewisFifth MiddlesexSteven Ultrino33rd Middlesex2/3/2023 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1019 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2256
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2256) of Jason M. Lewis and Steven
Ultrino for legislation to establish monthly payment plan option for E-Z Drive MA tolls.
Transportation.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act establishing a monthly payment plan option for E-Z Drive MA tolls.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 13 of chapter 6C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
3 (d)(1) The department shall establish a monthly payment plan option for persons owing
4tolls, fines, fees or other debts of $250 or more under the Pay By Plate or E-ZPass MA systems,
5as defined in 700 CMR 11.02. The minimum monthly payment due shall be $25. Upon receipt of
6the first payment due under a monthly payment plan, the department shall not charge any
7additional fines or fees on existing debts for late payment or failure to pay. The department may
8accept automatic monthly payments by credit or debit card on file with the department or
9payments made by check or money order received by mail or in person.
10 (2) If a person participating in a monthly payment plan is complying with all the
11requirements of this subsection and any regulations promulgated by the department pursuant to
12this subsection, the department shall not instruct the registry of motor vehicles to refuse to renew 2 of 3
13the person’s license to operate a vehicle or vehicle registration due to the existence of unpaid
14tolls, fines, fees or other debts owed by the person under the Pay By Plate or E-ZPass MA
15systems; provided, that the department shall notify the registry of motor vehicles for the
16registry’s records.
17 SECTION 2. Chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section
1820G and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
19 Section 20G. (a) If a person fails to appear in accordance with a notice to appear issued
20pursuant to a Massachusetts Department of Transportation regulation or fails to pay in a timely
21manner a violation issued pursuant to such regulations after having received notice thereof, the
22authority shall notify the registrar who shall place the matter on record and shall not renew the
23license to operate a motor vehicle or the registrations of any vehicles owned by such person until
24the matter has been disposed of in accordance with applicable law or regulation. If the person is
25found to be a resident of another state or jurisdiction, the registrar shall revoke the violator's right
26to operate in the commonwealth until the matters have been disposed of in accordance with
27applicable law or regulation. The liability of lessors of motor vehicles for violations on facilities
28owned by the authority shall be governed by authority regulations in a manner consistent with
29the provisions of section 20E. The registrar shall prescribe the manner, form and content of any
30notice received from the authority to take such action.
31 (b)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the registrar may issue a conditional reinstatement
32of a license to operate a motor vehicle or the vehicle registration for a person who: (i) owes tolls,
33fines, fees or other debts to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation under the Pay By
34Plate or E-ZPass MA systems, as defined in 700 CMR 11.02; (ii) is participating in the monthly 3 of 3
35payment plan option, established in subsection (d) of section 13 of chapter 6C and has completed
36at least 1 payment under such a monthly payment plan; (iii) is in compliance with said subsection
37(d) and any relevant regulations; and (iv) is otherwise qualified to hold said license or
38registration.
39 (2) The registrar shall revoke a license or registration that was conditionally reinstated
40pursuant to paragraph (1) if: (i) the person is more than 30 days in arrears on a payment required
41under a monthly payment plan entered into pursuant to subsection (d) of section 13 of chapter
426C; or (ii) for any other violation of a general or special law or regulation.
43 (3) Upon successful completion of the monthly payment plan established in subsection
44(d) of section 13 of chapter 6C, the registrar shall fully renew the person’s license and vehicle
45registration; provided, that the person is otherwise qualified to hold said license or vehicle
46registration.
47 SECTION 3. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the registrar of motor
48vehicles shall promulgate or amend any regulations necessary to implement this act within 5
49years of its passage.
50 SECTION 4. This act shall take effect 120 days after passage.