Maryland 2022 2022 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB59 Chaptered / Bill

Filed 05/19/2022

                     LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 448 
 
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Chapter 448 
(Senate Bill 59) 
 
AN ACT concerning 
 
Maryland Transportation Authority – Public–Private Partnerships and Options 
for the Payment of Tolls and Tolls – Civil Penalties 
 
FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Transportation Authority to issue an invitation 
for competitive sealed bids for a public–private partnership related to tolling services 
or a toll facility; requiring the Authority, at least a certain number of days before 
issuing an invitation for competitive sealed bids related to tolling services or a toll 
facility, to publish notice of an invitation for competitive sealed bids, and to submit 
a copy of the invitation to the Legislative Policy Committee; requiring the Authority 
to provide, to the greatest extent feasible when feasible and practicable, certain users 
of transportation facilities projects a range of options to pay for certain toll 
transactions and penalties; requiring the Authority to offer a certain installment 
plan agreement to certain persons for the payment of certain tolls and penalties; 
requiring the Authority to offer certain account holders a certain option to be billed 
for certain toll charges in certain installment amounts under certain circumstances; 
authorizing the Authority to refer certain unpaid tolls and penalties delinquent 
accounts to the Central Collection Unit for collection; requiring the Authority to 
recall certain unpaid video tolls and penalties from the Central Collection Unit under 
certain circumstances; requiring the Authority to waive certain penalties civil 
penalties assessed for certain toll violations under certain circumstances; requiring 
the Authority to reimburse certain civil penalties and notify certain individuals 
eligible for a certain reimbursement; and generally relating to the Maryland 
Transportation Authority and the payment of tolls and civil penalties civil penalties 
for toll violations. 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 
 Article – State Finance and Procurement 
Section 3–302 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2021 Replacement Volume) 
 
BY adding to 
 Article – State Finance and Procurement 
 Section 10A–202.1 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2021 Replacement Volume) 
 
BY adding to 
 Article – Transportation 
Section 4–408 
 Annotated Code of Maryland  Ch. 448 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (2020 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 
 Article – Transportation 
 Section 21–1414(b) 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2020 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)  
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 
 Article – Transportation 
Section 21–1414 21–1414(h) 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2020 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 
 
Article – State Finance and Procurement 
 
3–302. 
 
 (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, 
paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection, or in other law, the Central Collection Unit is 
responsible for the collection of each delinquent account or other debt that is owed to the 
State or any of its officials or units. 
 
 (2) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an 
official or unit of the State government shall refer to the Central Collection Unit each debt 
for which the Central Collection Unit has collection responsibility under this subsection 
and may not settle the debt. 
 
 (ii) A public institution of higher education may not refer a 
delinquent student account or debt to the Central Collection Unit unless, in accordance 
with § 15–119 of the Education Article: 
 
 1. the delinquent account or debt has not been settled by the 
end of the late registration period of the semester after the student account became 
delinquent; or 
 
 2. the student has not entered into or made timely payments 
to satisfy an installment payment plan. 
 
 (3) For the purposes of this subtitle, a community college or board of 
trustees for a community college established or operating under Title 16 of the Education 
Article is a unit of the State. 
   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 448 
 
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 (b) Unless, with the approval of the Secretary, a unit of the State government 
assigns the claim to the Central Collection Unit, the Central Collection Unit is not 
responsible for and may not collect: 
 
 (1) any taxes; 
 
 (2) any child support payment that is owed under § 5–308 of the Human 
Services Article; 
 
 (3) any unemployment insurance contribution or overpayment; 
 
 (4) any fine; 
 
 (5) any court costs; 
 
 (6) any forfeiture on bond; 
 
 (7) any money that is owed as a result of a default on a loan that the 
Department of Commerce or the Department of Housing and Community Development has 
made or insured; 
 
 (8) any money that is owed under Title 9, Subtitles 2, 3, and 4 and Title 20 
of the Insurance Article; [or] 
 
 (9) any money that is owed for unpaid video tolls and associated civil 
penalties under § 21–1414 of the Transportation Article under a delinquent account 
associated with a person residing outside the State; OR 
 
 (10) ANY MONEY THAT IS OW ED UNDER A DELINQUEN T ACCOUNT FOR 
UNPAID VIDEO TOLLS OR VIDEO TOLLS AND ASSOCIATED CIVIL PENALTIES AND IS 
RECALLED BY THE MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY UNDER § 21–1414(H) 
OF THE TRANSPORTATION ARTICLE. 
 
 (c) The Central Collection Unit shall be responsible for the collection of each 
delinquent account or other debt that is owed to a community college established or 
operating under Title 16 of the Education Article if the board of trustees for the community 
college: 
 
 (1) adopts a resolution appointing the Central Collection Unit as the 
collector of delinquent accounts or other debt; and 
 
 (2) submits the resolution to the Central Collection Unit. 
 
10A–202.1. 
  Ch. 448 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (A) (1) FOR A PUBLIC –PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP RELATED TO TOLLING 
SERVICES OR THE CONS TRUCTION, MAINTENANCE , OR OPERATION OF A TO LL 
FACILITY, THE MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY SHALL ISSUE AN 
INVITATION FOR COMPE TITIVE SEALED BIDS .  
 
 (2) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SEC TION, THE 
MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY SHALL ISSUE AN INVITATION FOR 
COMPETITIVE SEALED B IDS IN ACCORDANCE WI TH § 13–103 OF THIS ARTICLE. 
 
 (B) AT LEAST 60 DAYS BEFORE ISSUING AN INVITATION FOR CO MPETITIVE 
SEALED BIDS RELATED TO TOLLING SERVICES OR TH E CONSTRUCTION , 
MAINTENANCE , OR OPERATION OF A TO	LL FACILITY , THE MARYLAND 
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY SHALL : 
 
 (1) PUBLISH NOTICE OF AN INVITATION FOR COMPE TITIVE SEALED 
BIDS: 
 
 (I) ON A BID BOARD OR E MARYLAND MARKETPLACE ; OR 
 
 (II) IN A NEWSPAPER , PERIODICAL, OR TRADE JOURNAL ; AND 
 
 (2) SUBMIT A COPY OF THE INVITATION FOR COMPE TITIVE SEALED 
BIDS TO THE LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 
 
Article – Transportation 
 
4–408. 
 
 (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 
INDICATED.  
 
 (2) “E–ZPASS ACCOUNT” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 21–1416 OF 
THIS ARTICLE. 
 
 (3) “TOLL COLLECTION FACIL ITY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 
21–1414 OF THIS ARTICLE. 
 
 (B) TO THE GREATEST EXTEN T FEASIBLE WHEN FEASIBLE AND 
PRACTICABLE , THE AUTHORITY SHALL PROVI DE TO E–ZPASS ACCOUNT HOLDERS 
AND OTHER USERS OF T RANSPORTATION FACILI TIES PROJECTS A RANG E OF 
OPTIONS TO PAY FOR T OLL TRANSACTIONS AT TOLL COLLECTION FA CILITIES TOLLS   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 448 
 
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AND ANY ASSOCIATED C IVIL PENALTIES FOR T OLL VIOLATIONS , INCLUDING 
PAYMENT BY: 
 
 (1) CASH; 
 
 (2) CHECK; 
 
 (3) MONEY ORDER ; AND 
 
 (4) AN ELECTRONIC FUNDS T RANSFER THROUGH THE USE OF: 
 
 (I) A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD ; 
 
 (II) AN AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE (ACH) TRANSFER; OR 
 
 (III) AN ONLINE PAYMENT SYS TEM, INCLUDING A MONEY 
TRANSFER THROUGH A D IGITAL WALLET PAYMEN T PLATFORM OR OTHER MOBILE 
PAYMENT SERVICE . 
 
21–1414. 
 
 (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 
 
 (2) “Authority” means the Maryland Transportation Authority. 
 
 (3) “Electronic toll collection” means a system in a toll collection facility 
that is capable of collecting information from a motor vehicle for use in charging tolls. 
 
 (4) “Notice of toll due” or “notice” means an administrative notice of a video 
toll transaction. 
 
 (5) “Person alleged to be liable” means: 
 
 (i) The registered owner of a motor vehicle involved in a video toll 
transaction; or 
 
 (ii) A person to whom a registered owner of a motor vehicle has 
transferred liability for a video toll transaction in accordance with this section and the 
regulations of the Authority. 
 
 (6) “Recorded image” means an image of a motor vehicle passing through a 
toll collection facility recorded by a video monitoring system: 
 
 (i) On: 
  Ch. 448 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 1. One or more photographs, micrographs, or electronic 
images; 
 
 2. Videotape; or 
 
 3. Any other medium; and 
 
 (ii) Showing either the front or rear of the motor vehicle on at least 
one image or portion of tape and clearly identifying the license plate number and state of 
the motor vehicle. 
 
 (7) “Registered owner” means, with respect to a motor vehicle, the person 
or persons designated as the registered owner in the records of the government agency that 
is responsible for motor vehicle registration. 
 
 (8) “Toll collection facility” means any point on an Authority highway 
where a toll is incurred and is required to be paid. 
 
 (9) “Toll violation” means the failure to pay a video toll within the time 
prescribed by the Authority in a notice of toll due. 
 
 (10) “Video monitoring system” means a device installed to work in 
conjunction with a toll collection facility that produces a recorded image when a video toll 
transaction occurs. 
 
 (11) “Video toll” means the amount assessed by the Authority when a video 
toll transaction occurs. 
 
 (12) “Video toll transaction” means any transaction in which a motor vehicle 
does not or did not pay a toll at the time of passage through a toll collection facility with a 
video monitoring system. 
 
Article – Transportation 
 
21–1414.  
 
 (b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, the registered owner 
of a motor vehicle shall be liable to the Authority for payment of a video toll as provided for 
in the regulations of the Authority. 
 
 (2) The Authority shall send the registered owner of a motor vehicle that 
has incurred a video toll a notice of toll due. 
 
 (3) Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, the person alleged 
to be liable who receives a notice of toll due shall have at least 30 days to pay the video toll. 
   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 448 
 
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 (c) (1) Failure of the person alleged to be liable to pay the video toll under a 
notice of toll due by the date stated on the notice shall constitute a toll violation subject to 
a civil citation and a civil penalty, which shall be assessed 15 days after the toll violation 
occurs, as provided for in the regulations of the Authority. 
 
 (2) A registered owner of a motor vehicle shall not be liable for a civil 
penalty imposed under this section if the operator of the motor vehicle has been convicted 
of failure or refusal to pay a toll under § 21–1413 of this subtitle for the same violation. 
 
 (d) (1) The Authority or its duly authorized agent shall send a citation via 
first–class mail, no later than 60 days after the toll violation, to the person alleged to be 
liable under this section. 
 
 (2) Personal service of the citation on the person alleged to be liable shall 
not be required, and a record of mailing kept in the ordinary course of business shall be 
admissible evidence of the mailing of the notice of toll due and citation. 
 
 (3) A citation shall contain: 
 
 (i) The name and address of the person alleged to be liable under 
this section; 
 
 (ii) The license plate number and state of registration of the motor 
vehicle involved in the video toll transaction; 
 
 (iii) The location where the video toll transaction took place; 
 
 (iv) The date and time of the video toll transaction; 
 
 (v) The amount of the video toll and the date it was due as stated on 
the notice of toll due; 
 
 (vi) A copy of the recorded image; 
 
 (vii) A statement that the video toll was not paid before the civil 
penalty was assessed; 
 
 (viii) The amount of the civil penalty; and 
 
 (ix) The date by which the video toll and civil penalty must be paid. 
 
 (4) A citation shall also include: 
 
 (i) Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this 
section of the manner and the time in which liability alleged in the citation may be 
contested;  Ch. 448 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (ii) The statutory defenses described in subsection (g) of this section 
that were originally included in the notice of toll due; and 
 
 (iii) A warning that failure to pay the video toll and civil penalty, to 
contest liability in the manner and time prescribed, or to appear at a trial requested is an 
admission of liability and a waiver of available defenses, and may result in the refusal or 
suspension of the motor vehicle registration and referral for collection. 
 
 (5) A person alleged to be liable receiving the citation for a toll violation 
under this section may: 
 
 (i) Pay the video toll and the civil penalty directly to the Authority; 
or 
 
 (ii) Elect to stand trial for the alleged violation. 
 
 (6) (i) If the person alleged to be liable under this section fails to elect 
to stand trial or to pay the prescribed video toll and civil penalty within 30 days after 
mailing of the citation, or is adjudicated to be liable after trial, or fails to appear at trial 
after having elected to stand trial, the Authority or its duly authorized agent may: 
 
 1. Collect the video toll and the civil penalty by any means of 
collection as provided by law; and 
 
 2. Notify the Administration of the failure to pay the video 
toll and civil penalty in accordance with subsection (i) of this section. 
 
 (ii) No additional hearing or proceeding is required before the 
Administration takes action with respect to the motor vehicle of the registered owner under 
subsection (i) of this section. 
 
 (e) (1) A certificate alleging that a toll violation occurred and that the video 
toll payment was not received before the civil penalty was assessed, sworn to or affirmed 
by a duly authorized agent of the Authority, based upon inspection of a recorded image and 
electronic toll collection records produced by an electronic toll collection video monitoring 
system shall be evidence of the facts contained therein and shall be admissible in any 
proceeding alleging a violation under this section without the presence or testimony of the 
duly authorized agent who performed the requirements under this section. 
 
 (2) The citation, including the certificate, shall constitute prima facie 
evidence of liability for the toll violation and civil penalty. 
 
 (f) Adjudication of liability under this section: 
 
 (1) Shall be based upon a preponderance of evidence;   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 448 
 
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 (2) May not be deemed a conviction of a registered owner of a motor vehicle 
under the Motor Vehicle Code; 
 
 (3) May not be made part of the registered owner’s motor vehicle operating 
record; and 
 
 (4) May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance 
coverage. 
 
 (g) (1) If, at the time of a video toll transaction, a motor vehicle is operated by 
a person other than the registered owner without the express or implied consent of the 
registered owner, and if the registered owner by the date stated on the notice of toll due 
provides the Authority or its duly authorized agent with a notarized admission by the 
person accepting liability which shall include that person’s name, address, and driver’s 
license identification number, then the person accepting liability shall be liable under this 
section and shall be sent a notice of toll due. 
 
 (2) If the registered owner is a lessor of motor vehicles, and at the time of 
the video toll transaction the motor vehicle involved was in the possession of a lessee, and 
the lessor by the date stated on the notice of toll due provides the Authority or its duly 
authorized agent with a copy of the lease agreement or other documentation acceptable to 
the Authority identifying the lessee, including the person’s name, address, and driver’s 
license identification number or federal employer identification number, then the lessee 
shall be liable under this section and shall be sent a notice of toll due. 
 
 (3) If the motor vehicle involved in a video toll transaction is operated using 
a dealer or transporter registration plate, and at the time of the video toll transaction the 
motor vehicle was under the custody and control of a person other than the owner of the 
dealer or transporter registration plate, and if the owner of the dealer or transporter 
registration plate by the date stated on the notice of toll due provides to the Authority or 
its duly authorized agent a copy of the contractual agreement or other documentation 
acceptable to the Authority identifying the person, including the person’s name, address, 
and driver’s license identification number, who had custody and control over the motor 
vehicle at the time of the video toll transaction, then that person and not the owner of the 
dealer or transporter registration plate shall be liable under this section and shall be sent 
a notice of toll due. 
 
 (4) If a motor vehicle or registration plate number is reported to a law 
enforcement agency as stolen at the time of the video toll transaction, and the registered 
owner by the date stated on the notice of toll due provides to the Authority or its duly 
authorized agent a copy of the police report substantiating that the motor vehicle was stolen 
at the time of the video toll transaction, then the registered owner of the motor vehicle is 
not liable under this section. 
 
 (h) (1) THE AUTHORITY MAY REFER :  Ch. 448 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (I) REFER A DELINQUENT ACCOUNT FOR UNPAID VIDEO TOLLS 
AND ASSOCIATED CIVIL PENALTIES TO THE CENTRAL COLLECTION UNIT FOR 
COLLECTION; AND 
 
 (II) RECALL A DELINQUENT A CCOUNT FROM THE CENTRAL 
COLLECTION UNIT. 
 
 (2) THE AUTHORITY SHALL RECAL L A DELINQUENT ACCOU NT FROM 
THE CENTRAL COLLECTION UNIT IF: 
 
 (I) THE DELINQUENT ACCOUN T EXCEEDS $300 IN UNPAID 
VIDEO TOLLS AND ASSO CIATED CIVIL PENALTI ES; AND 
 
 (II) THE PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE DELINQUENT 
ACCOUNT AGREES TO PA Y THE UNPAID VIDEO T OLLS AND ASSOCIATED CIVIL 
PENALTIES DIRECTLY TO THE AUTHORITY UNDER AN INSTALLMENT PLAN 
AGREEMENT OFFERED BY THE AUTHORITY UNDER SUBSE CTION (J) OF THIS 
SECTION.  
 
 (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, until the Authority refers 
the debt to the Central Collection Unit OR AFTER THE AUTHORITY HAS RECALLE D A 
DELINQUENT ACCOUNT F ROM THE CENTRAL COLLECTION UNIT, the Authority 
[may]:  
 
 (I) (1)  MAY waive any portion of the video toll due or civil penalty 
assessed under this section; AND 
 
 (II) SHALL WAIVE ANY CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSED UND ER THIS 
SECTION IF: 
 
 1. THE NOTICE OF TOLL DU E FOR THE VIDEO TOLL IN 
QUESTION WAS SENT TO THE PERSON ALLEGED T O BE LIABLE MORE THA N 60 DAYS 
AFTER THE VIDEO TOLL TRANSACTION ; AND 
 
 2. THE AUTHORITY IS RESPONSI BLE FOR THE DELAY IN 
THE TIMELY PROCESSIN G OF THE VIDEO TOLL 	TRANSACTION DUE TO 
COVID–19–RELATED OR OTHER FAC TORS. 
 
 (II) (2) SHALL WAIVE: 
 
 (I) WAIVE THE CIVIL PENALTY AS SOCIATED WITH A VIDE O 
TOLL ON PAYMENT OF T HE VIDEO TOLL IN ACC ORDANCE WITH THE AUTHORITY’S   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 448 
 
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CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PLAN AS APPROVED BY THE AUTHORITY ON FEBRUARY 24, 
2022; AND 
 
 (II) REIMBURSE ANY CIVIL PENALTY PA ID IN ERROR UNDER TH E 
PLAN.  
 
 (i) (1) The Administration shall refuse or suspend the registration of a motor 
vehicle that incurs a toll violation under this section if: 
 
 (i) The Maryland Transportation Authority notifies the 
Administration that a registered owner of the motor vehicle has been served with a citation 
in accordance with this section and has failed to: 
 
 1. Pay the video toll and the civil penalty for the toll violation 
by the date specified in the citation; and 
 
 2. Contest liability for the toll violation by the date identified 
and in the manner specified in the citation; or 
 
 (ii) The Maryland Transportation Authority or the District Court 
notifies the Administration that a person who elected to contest liability for a toll violation 
under this section has failed to: 
 
 1. Appear for trial or has been determined to be guilty of the 
toll violation; and 
 
 2. Pay the video toll and civil penalty. 
 
 (2) In conjunction with the Maryland Transportation Authority, the 
Administration may adopt regulations and develop procedures to carry out the refusal or 
suspension of a registration under this subsection. 
 
 (3) The procedures in this subsection are in addition to any other penalty 
provided by law for a toll violation under this section. 
 
 (4) This subsection may be applied to enforce a reciprocal agreement 
entered into by the State and another jurisdiction in accordance with § 21–1415 of this 
subtitle. 
 
 (J) (1) (I) 1. THE AUTHORITY SHALL OFFER AN INSTALLMENT 
PLAN AGREEMENT TO A PERSON ALLEGED TO BE LIABLE UNDER THIS SE CTION FOR 
PAYMENT OF UNPAID VI DEO TOLLS AND ANY AS SOCIATED CIVIL PENAL TIES THAT 
TOTAL AT LEAST $300. 
 
 2. THE AUTHORITY MAY NOT OFF ER MORE THAN ONE 
INSTALLMENT PLAN AGR EEMENT TO A PERSON A LLEGED TO BE LIABLE UNDE R THIS  Ch. 448 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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SECTION FOR PAYMENT OF THE SAME UNPAID V IDEO TOLLS AND ASSOC IATED CIVIL 
PENALTIES.  
 
 (II) AN INSTALLMENT PLAN A GREEMENT UNDER THIS 
PARAGRAPH SHALL REQU IRE THE PERSON ALLEG ED TO BE LIABLE TO M AKE 
MONTHLY INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS OF 10% PER MONTH ON UNTIL THE TOTAL 
AMOUNT OF THE UNPAID VIDEO TOLLS AND ANY ASSOCIATED CIVIL PEN ALTIES 
OWED BY THE PERSON ARE PAID. 
 
 (III) THE AUTHORITY MAY CHARGE AN ADMINISTRATIVE FE E 
FOR AN INSTALLMENT P LAN AGREEMENT ON THE TOTAL AMOUNT OWED , NOT TO 
EXCEED THE FEE AUTHO RIZED BY THE CENTRAL COLLECTION UNIT FOR AN 
INSTALLMENT PLAN AGR EEMENT.  
 
 (III) (IV) IF A PERSON FAILS TO PAY VIDEO TOLLS AND CIVIL 
PENALTIES OWED IN AC CORDANCE WITH AN COMPLY WITH THE TERM S AND 
CONDITIONS OF THE INSTALLMENT PLAN AGR EEMENT, THE AUTHORITY MAY 
CANCEL THE AGREEMENT AND REFER THE UNPAID TOL LS AND PENALTIES AMOUNT 
DUE TO THE CENTRAL COLLECTION UNIT FOR COLLECTION . 
 
 (V) IF A PERSON DEFAULTS ON AN INSTALLMENT PL AN 
AGREEMENT , THE AUTHORITY MAY NOTIFY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT A 
REGISTERED OWNER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO PAY THE AM OUNT DUE 
UNDER AN INSTALLMENT PLAN AGREEMENT AND T HE ADMINISTRATION SHALL 
REFUSE OR SUSPEND TH E REGISTRATION OF TH E MOTOR VEHICLE .  
 
 (2) (I) 1. IN THIS PARAGRAPH THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE 
THE MEANINGS INDICAT ED. 
 
 2. “BACKLOG TOLL CHARGE ” MEANS A TOLL FOR 
PASSAGE OF A MOTOR V EHICLE THROUGH A TOL L COLLECTION FACILIT Y THAT IS 
PROCESSED AND BILLED TO AN E–ZPASS ACCOUNT OR A PAY–BY–PLATE ACCOUNT 
HOLDER MORE THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE TOLL TRANSACTION OCCURRED DUE T O 
COVID–19–RELATED OR OTHER FAC TORS FOR WHICH THE AUTHORITY IS 
RESPONSIBLE . 
 
 3. “E–ZPASS ACCOUNT” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 
21–1416 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 
 
 4. “PAY–BY–PLATE ACCOUNT ” MEANS AN 
ARRANGEMENT IN WHICH A TOLL INCURRED FOR PASSAGE OF A MOTOR V EHICLE 
THROUGH A TOLL COLLE CTION FACILITY BY EL ECTRONIC TOLL COLLEC TION 
THROUGH THE USE OF A VIDEO MONITORING SYS TEM IS BILLED TO A C REDIT CARD   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 448 
 
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OF A PERSON LINKED T O THE REGISTERED LIC ENSE PLATE OF THE MO TOR VEHICLE 
UNDER AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AUTHORITY AND THE PER SON. 
 
 (II) IF THE AUTHORITY BILLS AN E–ZPASS ACCOUNT HOLDER 
OR A PAY–BY–PLATE ACCOUNT HOLDER A SUM TOTAL OF BACKL OG TOLL CHARGES 
OF $300 OR MORE, THE AUTHORITY SHALL OFFER THE ACCOUNT HOLDER A N 
OPTION TO BE BILLED FOR THE BACKLOG TOLL CHARG ES IN MONTHLY 
INSTALLMENT AMOUNTS OF 10% PER MONTH ON THE TOT AL BACKLOG TOLL 
CHARGES OWED BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER . 
 
 (3) (2) THE AUTHORITY SHALL : 
 
 (I) ALLOW PERSONS TO APPL Y FOR THE INSTALLMEN T PLAN 
AGREEMENT AND INSTAL LMENT BILLING OPTIONS OFFERED UNDE R THIS 
SUBSECTION ON THE AUTHORITY’S WEBSITE; AND 
 
 (II) ACCEPT AS SUFFICIENT AN ATTESTATION FROM AN 
APPLICANT THAT THE A PPLICANT QUALIFIES F OR AN INSTALLMENT PL AN 
AGREEMENT OR INSTALL MENT BILLING OPTION OFFERED UNDER THIS S UBSECTION 
WHEN APPROVING ELIGI BILITY FOR THE OPTIO N. 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before January 1, 2023 
October 1, 2022, the Maryland Transportation Authority shall notify any individual who 
paid a civil penalty during the toll deferral period in error under the Authority’s Customer 
Assistance Plan as approved on February 24, 2022, and is eligible for reimbursement of the 
amount paid. 
 
 SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That : 
 
 (a) On on or before December 1, 2023 2022, the Maryland Transportation 
Authority shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 
Government Article, on: 
 
 (1) the number of individuals who paid a civil penalty during the toll 
deferral period in error under the Authority’s Customer Assistance Plan as approved on 
February 24, 2022; and 
 
 (2) what notification of reimbursement eligibility and reimbursement was 
provided to individuals who paid a civil penalty before the establishment of the civil penalty 
waiver grace period in error under the Plan. 
 
 (b) On or before July 1, 2022, and the first day of each subsequent month, the 
Maryland Transportation Authority shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance 
with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article: 
  Ch. 448 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (1) the number of customer service agents employed at each Maryland 
Transportation Authority call center during the prior month; and 
 
 (2) the number of customer service agents hired to work at each Maryland 
Transportation Authority call center during the prior month.  
 
 SECTION 2. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 
July 1, 2022. Section 3 of this Act shall remain effective for a period of 6 months and, at the 
end of December 31, 2022, Section 3 of this Act, with no further action required by the 
General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.  
 
Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2022.