Senate Bill No. 352, introduced by Senator Carter, amends the existing law regarding toll collections for state-owned toll facilities in Louisiana. The bill modifies the administrative fee for unpaid tolls, changing it from a flat fee of twenty-five dollars to a fee that is no more than two percent of the total cost of the toll. This fee is in addition to any late charges that may be imposed. The bill also clarifies that the registered owner of a vehicle or trailer is responsible for the payment of the toll and associated fees, but it removes the provision that made the registered owner prima facie responsible for these payments.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that it is not a valid defense against liability for the registered owner to claim they were not operating the vehicle at the time of the toll violation, except in cases where the vehicle was reported stolen. The changes proposed in this bill will take effect on August 1, 2026, and aim to streamline the toll collection process while ensuring that the costs associated with toll violations are more proportionate to the toll amounts.

Statutes affected:
SB352 Original: 48:1(C)