BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 343 82R4485 JAM-F By: Davis Transporation & Homeland Security 3/14/2011 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 343
82R4485 JAM-F By: Davis
Transporation & Homeland Security
3/14/2011
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 343
82R4485 JAM-F
By: Davis
Transporation & Homeland Security
3/14/2011
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), a political subdivision of the State of Texas under Chapter 366 (Regional Tollway Authorities), Transportation Code, is charged with advancing mobility projects and must pursue and collect all tolls due. When motorists use toll roads without paying, NTTA sends them a bill for the unpaid tolls. Some motorists have found that miniscule toll bills can end up costing hundreds of dollars after NTTA adds on penalties and administrative fees. S.B. 343 seeks to address this problem by lowering from $100 to $50 the cap on administrative fees that a toll road authority may charge for the collection of an unpaid toll. As proposed, S.B. 343 amends current law relating to the administrative fee charged for the collection of an unpaid toll. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 366.178(c), Transportation Code, to reduce from $100 to $50 the administrative fee that an authority is authorized to charge to recover the cost of collecting an unpaid toll, if a person fails to pay the proper toll. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), a political subdivision of the State of Texas under Chapter 366 (Regional Tollway Authorities), Transportation Code, is charged with advancing mobility projects and must pursue and collect all tolls due. When motorists use toll roads without paying, NTTA sends them a bill for the unpaid tolls. Some motorists have found that miniscule toll bills can end up costing hundreds of dollars after NTTA adds on penalties and administrative fees. S.B. 343 seeks to address this problem by lowering from $100 to $50 the cap on administrative fees that a toll road authority may charge for the collection of an unpaid toll.
As proposed, S.B. 343 amends current law relating to the administrative fee charged for the collection of an unpaid toll.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 366.178(c), Transportation Code, to reduce from $100 to $50 the administrative fee that an authority is authorized to charge to recover the cost of collecting an unpaid toll, if a person fails to pay the proper toll.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.