BILL NUMBER: S9909
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to limiting the
amount of the fine to be paid for violating the E-ZPass system
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends public authorities' law by adding a new section 354-a
by adding a violation cap and further establishes that if any person
fails to pay a toll as required by the E-ZPass system, the authority
shall not issue a fine exceeding the amount of the unpaid toll.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately. JUSTIFICATION: Over
the last few years, New York State has been implementing a system of
cashless tolling (EZPass) on its bridges, tunnels, and road ways. While
such a system has many benefits, including decreasing traffic congestion
and increasing efficiency, many serious problems have arisen.
The cashless toll system has caused confusion among many drivers.
Notice of toll fees mailed (Tolls by Mail) to drivers without E-ZPass
often take several weeks to arrive, and in many instances, are not
received at all. All too often owners who do not receive the Tolls by
Mail notice of fees end up incurring significant late fees and fines.
In addition, instances of inconsistent or unexplained fees have also
occurred. Even more concerning, some owners have had their car registra-
tions suspended, been stopped on the road, had their cars seized and
have been left stranded due to alleged unpaid toll fees. This legis-
lation intends to set a violation cap to help alleviate overburdened
residents and lessen unnecessary and excessive late fees.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Yet to be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.