An Act To Amend Title 21 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Rules Of The Road.
Summary
SB 88 amends Delaware’s rules governing civil penalties for toll evasion. Under current law, when a toll is not paid and the violation is identified through observation, video surveillance, or other vehicle-identification methods, the Department of Transportation or the Delaware River & Bay Authority may mail an advisory and payment request to the vehicle owner before issuing a summons. This bill extends the time before the owner becomes liable for the violation from 31 days to 61 days after the violation is transmitted, giving motorists more time to resolve the matter before enforcement proceeds.
The bill also clarifies the administrative fee associated with toll-violation processing by allowing a fee of up to $25 rather than a fixed amount. The change is framed in the synopsis as a customer-service improvement, suggesting the intent is to make the toll-collection process more flexible and less burdensome while preserving the state’s ability to recover unpaid tolls and processing costs.
Impact
SB 88 changes Title 21, Chapter 41 of the Delaware Code, specifically Section 4129 governing civil penalties for evasion of tolls. It affects the Delaware Department of Transportation, the Delaware River & Bay Authority, toll-processing designees, and vehicle owners who receive toll violation notices. The practical effect is to lengthen the pre-summons payment window and give agencies discretion to charge an administrative fee up to $25, rather than a mandatory fixed fee, in toll enforcement cases.
Sentiment
The available record shows strong support and no recorded opposition. The bill passed the Senate 20-0 and the House 35-0, indicating broad bipartisan agreement. The synopsis characterizes the measure as a customer-service improvement, and the unanimous votes suggest legislators viewed the changes as modest and noncontroversial.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the bill text or voting history. The only substantive policy choices are whether toll violators should receive a longer period to pay before liability attaches and whether the administrative fee should be capped at up to $25. Any concern would likely center on balancing customer convenience against toll enforcement efficiency and revenue collection, but no opposing arguments or dissenting votes are reflected in the materials provided.