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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 7, 2016 01:27 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator John P. Sabatina, Jr. |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Suspension of Drivers License for Unpaid EZ-Pass Fees |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation that would allow for a Pennsylvania driver's license to be revoked after repeated violations of unpaid EZ Pass Recently, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale found that the Pennsylvania Turnpike's financial health has deteriorated substantially since 2007. He stated that part of that financial decline was due to unpaid tolls for drivers who access the EZ-Pass lanes. Specifically, DePasquale noted that the turnpike will lose nearly $20 million this year in unpaid tolls from motorists who drive through the EZ-Pass lane without an operating account. Their license plates are recorded and they are mailed a bill, but in fiscal year 2016, $19.96 million in tolls and fees for nonpayment were written off as uncollectible. The Turnpike Commission lacks the authority to go after these habitual violators without legislation. This legislation would simply suspend a valid PA drivers license as a result of unpaid EZ-Pass violations. After receiving a 'Final Notice' from the PA Turnpike Commission, PennDOT would receive a notice from the Commission that the license under the registered vehicle be suspended. Maryland has a similar law in place that would suspend a drivers license for repeated violations. At a time when our fiscal responsibility is at question and our budget gap widens, we must do all we can to collect unpaid fees due to state agencies. Please join me in support of this legislation. |
Memo Updated: September 7, 2016 01:28 PM