Texas Transportation Code
§ 366.178 — FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO PAY TOLL
TN § 366.178Title 6. ROADWAYS · Part G. TURNPIKES AND TOLL PROJECTS · Ch. 366. REGIONAL TOLLWAY AUTHORITIES · Art. E. ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION OF TURNPIKE PROJECTS
Statute text
View on source(a)A motor vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined by Section 541.201, that passes through a toll assessment facility, whether driven or towed, shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of whether the vehicle is:
(1)responding to an emergency;
(2)displaying a flashing light; or
(3)marked as a police or emergency vehicle.
(b)A person who fails or refuses to pay a toll provided for the use of a project is liable for a fine not to exceed $250, plus any administrative fees incurred in connection with the violation. (b-1) As an alternative to requiring payment of a toll at the time a vehicle is driven or towed through a toll assessment facility, the authority shall use video recordings, photography, electronic data, transponders, or other tolling methods to permit the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle to pay the toll at a later date or provide toll exemptions. Information collected under this subsection, including contact, payment, and other account information and trip data, is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code. (b-2) If the authority does not collect the proper toll at the time a vehicle is driven or towed through a toll assessment facility, the authority shall send an invoice by first class mail to the registered owner of the vehicle. The invoice may include one or more tolls assessed by the authority for use of the project by the nonpaying vehicle and must specify the date by which the toll or tolls must be paid. Except as provided by Subsection (b-3), the registered owner shall pay the unpaid tolls included in the invoice not later than the 25th day after the date the invoice is mailed. (b-3) If the address to which the invoice issued under Subsection (b-2) is mailed to the registered owner is determined to be incorrect, the registered owner shall pay the invoice not later than the 25th day after the date the invoice is mailed to the correct address. (b-4) If the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle fails to pay the unpaid tolls included in the invoice mailed under Subsection (b-2) or (b-3) by the date specified in the invoice, the authority shall send the first notice of nonpayment by first class mail to the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle as provided by Subsection (d).
(c)On issuance of the first notice of nonpayment, the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle shall pay both the unpaid tolls included in the invoice and an administrative fee. The authority may charge only one administrative fee of not more than $25 for the first notice of nonpayment that is sent to the registered owner of the nonpaying vehicle.
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Legislative history
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 258 (S.B. 11), Sec. 4.03, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 770 (S.B. 882), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 918 (H.B. 2983), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 469), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 782 (H.B. 2549), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1129 (S.B. 57), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2015.