Signed by Governor Mitch Daniels, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the Governor to approve the construction and operation of toll ways without the consent of the legislature for certain projects between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2021.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Governor and the Department of Transportation to approve the location of a toll way without legislative consent, during the period beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2021, with respect to certain projects including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 3):
• Any project constructed after June 30, 2011;
• A project that adds toll lanes, including high occupancy toll lanes, to a highway, roadway, or other existing facility, provided that the number of nontolled lanes does not decrease due to the addition of the toll lanes; or
• A project located within a metropolitan planning area that connects the State of Indiana with the commonwealth of Kentucky.

• Authorizes the Governor and the Department of Transportation to enter into a public-private agreement to impose tolls for the operation of motor vehicles without legislative consent, during the period beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2021, with respect to certain projects including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 4):
• Any project constructed after June 30, 2011;
• A project that adds toll lanes, including high occupancy toll lanes, to a highway, roadway, or other existing facility, provided that the number of nontolled lanes does not decrease due to the addition of the toll lanes; or
• A project located within a metropolitan planning area that connects the State of Indiana with the commonwealth of Kentucky.

• Prohibits the Department of Transportation from using a toll collection methodology based on toll collection success rates or other factors internal to the operator of a toll way (Sec. 7).

• Specifies that if the owner of a motor vehicle that is driven or towed through a toll collection facility fails to pay the proper toll or user fee, he or she will be guilty of a moving violation, whereas existing law did not specify the type of violation (Sec. 20).

• Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a deadline for issuing citations to drivers who fail to pay tolls and a deadline, not to exceed 30 days following receipt of a citation, for the owner to pay a fine, charge, or other assessment for the toll violation (Sec. 21).

Full Bill Text