HB136: relative to regional electronic toll collection.

HB 136-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2003 SESSION

03-0093

06/09

HOUSE BILL 136-FN

AN ACT relative to regional electronic toll collection.

SPONSORS: Rep. R. L'Heureux, Hills 58; Rep. Hinkle, Hills 58; Rep. Brundige, Hills 58; Rep. Batula, Hills 58; Rep. Phinizy, Sull 23; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9; Sen. Martel, Dist 18; Sen. Clegg, Dist 14; Sen. O'Hearn, Dist 12

COMMITTEE: Public Works and Highways

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of transportation to credit interest earned on the money held in E-Z Pass toll accounts to the account holder.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03-0093

06/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT relative to regional electronic toll collection.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Regional Electronic Toll Collection Authorized; Interest on Valid New Hampshire Accounts. Amend RSA 237:16-b to read as follows:

237:16-b Regional Electronic Toll Collection Authorized.

I. The commissioner is hereby authorized to execute all documents and perform all other acts necessary to enter into and carry out the provisions of a regional electronic toll collection system agreement with the Interagency Group in order to increase the efficiency of turnpike operation and to improve traffic management in the state and region.

II. All interest, net of any service charges, which is earned on funds deposited to establish or maintain a valid New Hampshire account in the electronic toll collection system shall be credited monthly to the account holder based on the average monthly balance in his or her account.

2 Rulemaking. Amend RSA 237:16-d to read as follows:

237:16-d Rulemaking.

I. The commissioner may adopt such rules as are necessary to enforce the terms of this agreement, which shall be exempt from the provisions of RSA 541-A and shall have the effect of law, and which shall provide for each of the member states or agencies to collect tolls and perform audits on behalf of the other member states or agencies. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the adoption of rules which alter any existing or establish any new tolls, fees, penalties, or interest charges; provided, however, that the rules may include tolls, fees, penalties, or interest charges which are otherwise provided for by the laws of this state.

II. The commissioner shall adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, to administer the provisions of RSA 237:16-b, II.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

03-0093

12/27/02

HB 136-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to regional electronic toll collection.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Department of Transportation indicates this bill will increase state turnpike restricted expenditures by $100,000 in FY 2005. There is no fiscal impact to state, county and local revenues or county and local expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

The Department states that under the concept of electronic toll collection, as authorized in RSA 237:16-b, the Department will contract with a customer service center to process all transactions and to maintain customer accounts. The $100,000 increase in turnpike restricted expenditures is the anticipated cost for one-time programming costs in FY 2005 by the customer service center to incorporate crediting interest earned on the money held in E-Z Pass toll accounts to the account holder. The Department further states that based on projections of the number and dollar value of the accounts, the annual average distribution per account will be minimal.