AUSTIN, Texas — Texas lawmakers have filed nearly dozens of bills related to toll reform, including decriminalizing toll fee violations.
Ellen Hill is no stranger to toll issues. This is her second time talking to KVUE about it.
This time she got a big surprise after TxTag transitioned to Harris County Toll Authority (HCTA).
“It said my account was suspended and I was like, ‘what?’” said Hill.Hill said during the transition, her credit card was stolen, so it wasn’t on the HCTA account. Just over three months later, she called and found out her bill was $420.
“I mean, it’s just so physically and mentally exhausting to be on the phone with person after person at the toll authority,” said Hill.
Hill said she never received a bill or email, but HCTA claimed they sent both.
“They’re extorting money from Texas drivers at a rate that is unsustainable,” said Terri Hall, Founder and Director of Texans for Toll Free Highways.
Hall is working alongside many Republican lawmakers to ease the burden of tolls, and multiple bills have been filed to decriminalize unpaid toll offenses and instead make them a civil issue.
“So that they could not block your vehicle registration and they could no longer impound your vehicle for an unpaid toll bill,” said Hall. “You’re a criminal for an unpaid toll bill in the state of Texas. That’s got to end.”
One of those bills filed was State Sen. Bob Hall’s (R-Edgewood) SB 137, which addresses billing transparency and caps on fees.
Hall is also backing State Rep. Matt Shaheen’s (R-Plano) HB 2323.
“Actually force TxDOT and these toll road authorities to take the toll down when the debts paid for,” said Hall.
For Hill, she said she after multiple phone calls, she was able to get her bill down to about $360, when HCTA applied the EzTag rate. She said they offered a payment plan, but that it will still be hard to pay back.
“It’s like, ‘well, how do I do a payment plan, get on top of that and pay the current toll bills,’” said Hill.
The bills won’t be discussed until the legislative session has gone on for 61 days.