HB421 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Steve McMillan
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Toll roads and bridges, electronic assessment and collection of tolls, assessment to account holder or by photo-monitoring, administrative fees for nonpayment, judgements, suspension of driver's licenses and registration, Secs 23-2-165 to 23-2-175, inclusive, added; Sec. 23-2-163 repealed
Summary: HB421 creates an Electronic Toll Collection Act that lets tolls be charged electronically, including by account or photo-based plate hits, and can suspend licenses or vehicle registrations for unpaid tolls after a judgment.
What This Bill Does
Establishes an electronic system to collect tolls either from an account holder or via license plate photo data. Assigns tolls and violations to the account holder or the vehicle's registered owner or operator and allows for judgments. Imposes escalating administrative fees with notices (up to $25 for the first notice, up to $50 for the second, and up to $100 for a citation) and enables civil actions to collect tolls if unpaid, potentially leading to suspension of driving privileges and vehicle registration.

Who It Affects
Vehicle owners and operators who may be charged tolls, administrative fees, and could have their driver's licenses and vehicle registrations suspended if tolls remain unpaid.
Lessor and lessee of vehicles (such as rental car companies and people who rent vehicles) who can be held liable for unpaid tolls unless the lessor provides required rental/lease documents in time, shifting liability to the lessee.

Key Provisions
Repeals Section 23-2-163 and adds the Electronic Toll Collection Act (Article 6) with sections 23-2-165 through 23-2-175 to Chapter 2 of Title 23.
Electronic toll collection methods: tolls can be charged by an in-vehicle electronic device or by a photo-monitoring system using license plate data.
Account holders: individuals or entities may apply to become account holders; applications may be denied with notice.
Payment and enforcement: if a toll is not paid electronically, the system may charge an existing account or pursue collection under sections 23-2-169 onward.
Liability and notices: owners and operators are jointly liable for unpaid tolls; a sequence of notices may require payment plus escalating administrative fees (up to $25, then $50, then $100) and may lead to civil suits for collection.
Judgments and suspension: court judgments can lead to suspension of the owner’s driver’s license and vehicle registration until paid, with possible actions in other states under reciprocal agreements.
Defense and liability shifting: if the vehicle is stolen or if the lessor provides timely rental/lease documents showing the lessee, liability rules determine who must pay.
Reciprocal enforcement: the Department of Transportation may enter agreements with other states for enforcement of toll violations and may suspend privileges in those states accordingly.
Privacy protections: account holder names and addresses cannot be sold or used for commercial purposes, with limited sharing for enforcement and reciprocal toll operations, and data may be used for law enforcement matching under defined limits.
Exemptions: certain vehicles (e.g., school buses, active emergency and law enforcement vehicles) may be exempt from tolls.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Highways, Roads, and Bridges