Maryland House Bill HB1435

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/22
• Refer: 2/22/22

Caption

Transportation - Electronic Toll Collection Backlog - Fee Prohibition

Impact

This legislation is significant as it mandates that motorists who incurred video toll charges during the period of deferred billing will not be penalized financially until the backlog is cleared. Furthermore, the authority is required to reimburse registered vehicle owners for any administrative fees or civil penalties that were previously paid. This retroactive application of the law ensures that drivers are not unfairly punished for delays in processing that were outside of their control.

Summary

House Bill 1435, entitled 'Transportation - Electronic Toll Collection Backlog - Fee Prohibition', aims to address issues related to the collection of electronic tolls that were affected by COVID-19. The bill specifically prohibits the Maryland Transportation Authority from charging administrative fees or civil penalties for the failure to pay certain video tolls until 180 days after a backlog in toll charges is resolved. This addresses concerns that many motorists faced during the pandemic when toll billing was paused or deferred.

Contention

The bill serves as an emergency measure in light of the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for timely action to protect citizens from undue financial burdens. By applying retroactively to tolls incurred from March 5, 2020, the bill acknowledges the specific challenges faced by drivers during this period and aligns state regulations with the economic hardships resultant from the pandemic. Potential points of contention may arise regarding the authority's capacity to manage its toll collection efficiently and ensure that such backlogs do not reoccur in the future.