House Bill No. 5177 introduces new regulations regarding the use of toll revenues in counties with populations of four million or more. The bill mandates that these counties can only utilize the revenues collected from tolls and charges for specific purposes, including the operation, maintenance, and expansion of toll projects, as well as retiring related debts. Additionally, it stipulates that after covering these costs, 30% of the remaining revenue must be allocated to municipalities for law enforcement and emergency services, while 70% is designated for county-owned roads, with a minimum of 95% of that amount allocated based on the percentage of roads maintained by each commissioner precinct.

The bill also establishes an administrative penalty system for counties that violate these revenue usage restrictions. If a county is found to have misused toll revenues, the department will impose penalties based on the severity of the violation, with first-time offenders facing a penalty of 110% of the misused amount and subsequent violations resulting in a penalty of 100%. Furthermore, counties subject to these penalties will be restricted in their ability to adopt tax rates in the following year, ensuring compliance with the new regulations. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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