A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide for the enforcement of tolls on Turnpike Projects of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, to modify laws applicable to the north carolina turnpike authority, AND To clarify the authorization made in a prior law to toll an existing segment of N.C. 540.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 6H of Chapter 136 of the General Statutes is amended by designating the current sections in that Article as Part 1 with a heading that reads as follows:
"Part 1. Turnpike Authority and Toll Projects."
SECTION 2.  Article 6H of Chapter 136 of the General Statutes, as amended by Section 1 of this act, is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 2. Collection of Tolls on Turnpike Projects.
"§ 136‑89.210. Definitions.
The definitions in G.S. 136‑89.181 and the following definitions apply in this Article:
(1)	Reserved.
(2)	Open road toll. – A toll payable under an open road tolling system. 
(3)	Open road tolling system. – A system of collecting a toll for the use of a highway that does not provide a way to pay the toll in cash while traveling on the highway. 
"§ 136‑89.211. Tolls  for use of Turnpike project.
In exercising its authority under G.S. 136‑89.183 to set tolls for the use of a Turnpike project, the Authority may not do any of the following:
(1)	Set open road tolls that vary for the same class of motor vehicle depending on the method by which the Authority identifies a motor vehicle that drives on the Turnpike project. This does not preclude the Authority from allowing a discount for a motor vehicle equipped with an electronic toll collection transponder.
(2)	Exempt a motor vehicle that is not a law enforcement vehicle, an emergency fire or rescue vehicle, or an emergency medical services vehicle from the requirement of paying a toll for the use of a Turnpike project. 
"§ 136‑89.212. Payment of toll required for use of Turnpike project.
A motor vehicle that is driven on a Turnpike project is subject to a toll imposed by the Authority for the use of the project. If the toll is an open road toll, the person who is the registered owner of the motor vehicle is liable for payment of the toll unless the registered owner establishes that the motor vehicle was in the care, custody, and control of another person when it was driven on the Turnpike project. 
A person establishes that a motor vehicle was in the care, custody, and control of another person when it was driven on a Turnpike project by submitting to the Authority a sworn affidavit stating one of the following:
(1)	The name and address of the person who had the care, custody, and control of the motor vehicle when it was driven. If the motor vehicle was leased or rented under a long‑term lease or rental, as defined in G.S. 105‑187.1, the affidavit must be supported by a copy of the lease or rental agreement or other written evidence of the agreement.
(2)	The motor vehicle was stolen. The affidavit must be supported by an insurance or police report concerning the theft or other written evidence of the theft.
(3)	The person transferred the motor vehicle to another person by sale or otherwise before it was driven on the Turnpike project. The affidavit must be supported by insurance information, a copy of the certificate of title, or other evidence of the transfer.
"§ 136‑89.213. Administration of tolls and requirements for open road tolls.  
(a)	Administration. – The Authority is responsible for collecting tolls on Turnpike projects. In exercising its authority under G.S. 136‑89.183 to perform or procure services required by the Authority, the Authority may contract with one or more providers to perform part or all of the collection functions and may enter into agreements with the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Department of Transportation and with other states to exchange information that identifies motor vehicles and their owners. Identifying information obtained by the Authority from the Division of Motor Vehicles or another state is not a public record and is subject to the disclosure limitations in 18 U.S.C. § 2721, the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act. 
(b)	Open Road Tolls. – If a Turnpike project uses an open road tolling system, the Authority must operate a facility that is in the vicinity of the Turnpike project and that accepts cash payment of the toll and must place signs on the Turnpike project that give drivers the following information:
(1)	Notice that the driver is approaching a highway for which a toll is required. Signs providing this information must be placed before the toll is incurred.
(2)	The methods by which the toll may be paid.
(3)	Directions to the nearby facility that accepts cash payment of the toll.
(4)	Notice that penalties apply to a person who does not pay a toll for which the person is liable. 
"§ 136‑89.214. Bill for unpaid open road toll.  
(a)	Bill. – If a motor vehicle travels on a Turnpike project that uses an open road tolling system and a toll for traveling on the project is not paid within 15 days after the travel occurs, the Authority must send a bill by first class mail to the registered owner of the motor vehicle for the amount of the unpaid toll. The Authority must send the bill within 90 days after the travel occurs. If a bill is not sent within the required time, the Authority waives collection of the toll. The Authority must establish billing periods for unpaid open road tolls and must include all unpaid tolls incurred by the same person during a billing period in the same bill. 
(b)	Information on Bill. – A bill sent under this section must include all of the following information:
(1)	The name and address of the registered owner of the motor vehicle that traveled on the Turnpike project.
(2)	The date the travel occurred, the approximate time the travel occurred, and each segment of the Turnpike project on which the travel occurred.
(3)	An image of the registration plate of the motor vehicle, if the Authority captured an electronic image of the motor vehicle when it traveled on the Turnpike project.
(4)	The amount of the toll due and the amount of any processing fee added under subsection (c) of this section.
(5)	The date by which payment must be made to avoid any additional charges and an explanation of how payment may be made.
(6)	A clear and concise explanation of how to contest liability for the toll.
(c)	Fee. – The Authority may add a processing fee to a bill for an unpaid toll sent under this section. The processing fee may not exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) and must be set at an amount that does not exceed the costs of identifying the owner of a motor vehicle that is subject to an unpaid toll and billing the owner for the unpaid toll. The fee is a receipt of the Authority and must be applied to these costs.
(d)	Action Required. – A person who receives a bill for an unpaid open road toll must take one of the following actions within 30 days after receiving the bill:
(1)	Pay the bill and any processing fee added to the bill.
(2)	Send a written request to the Authority for a review of the toll. "§ 136‑89.215. Civil penalty for failure to pay open road toll.  
(a)	Penalty. – A person who receives a bill for an unpaid open road toll and who does not take one of the actions described in G.S. 136‑89.214 within the required time is subject to a civil penalty. Each unpaid toll listed on a bill is subject to a civil penalty.  
(b)	Amount. – The amount of the civil penalty assessed against a person under this section varies depending on the number of times the person has been assessed a civil penalty under this section during the 12‑month period before the date the person incurred the toll for which the current civil penalty is imposed.
Number of Penalties in Previous 12 Months	Penalty Amount
Fewer than Five	$25.00
At Least Five but Fewer Than 10	$50.00
At Least Ten but Fewer Than 15	$75.00
15 or More	$100.00
(c)	Payment. – The Authority must send a notice by first class mail to a person who is assessed a civil penalty under this section. A person who is assessed a civil penalty must pay the unpaid toll for which the civil penalty was imposed, the amount of any processing fee due, and the civil penalty within 30 days after receiving the notice. 
(d)	Penalty Proceeds. – A civil penalty imposed under this section is payable to the Authority. The Authority must credit the clear proceeds of civil penalties imposed under this section to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund established in G.S. 115C‑457.1. The guidelines used by the Office of State Budget and Management to determine an agency's actual costs of collecting civil penalties and the clear proceeds of the civil penalties apply to the Authority's determination of  its costs of collecting civil penalties and the clear proceeds of the civil penalties. 
"§ 136‑89.216. Vehicle registration renewal blocked for unpaid open road toll.  
Failure of a person to pay the amount due on a notice sent under G.S. 136‑89.215 is grounds under G.S. 20‑54 to withhold the registration renewal of a motor vehicle registered in that person's name. The Authority must notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of a person who is assessed a civil penalty under G.S. 136‑89.215 and who does not pay the civil penalty, the toll, and any processing fee due. When notified, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles must withhold the registration renewal of any motor vehicle registered in that person's name. A notice of a civil penalty sent under G.S. 136‑89.215 must include a statement that failure to pay the amount due on the notice will result in a block on the registration renewal of any motor vehicle registered in that person's name until the amount is paid.
"§ 136‑89.217. Procedures for contesting liability for unpaid open road toll.  
(a)	Informal Review. – A person who receives a bill for an unpaid open road toll and who disputes liability for the toll may contest the toll by sending to the Authority a request for review of the toll. The person may include a sworn affidavit described in G.S. 136‑89.213 that establishes that someone else had the care, custody, and control of the motor vehicle subject to the toll when the toll was incurred. The person must send the request for review to the Authority within 30 days after receiving the bill for the toll. A person who does not send a request for review to the Authority within this time limit waives the right to a review and must pay the toll and any processing fee added to the bill for the toll. If a person sends a timely request for review to the Authority, the Authority may not collect the disputed toll and any processing fee added to the bill for the toll until the conclusion of the review process in this section. 
(b)	Administrative Hearing. – If the Authority conducts an informal review under subsection (a) of this section and determines that the person who requested the review is liable for the toll, the Authority must send the person a notice informing the person of the Authority's determination. The person may contest this determination by filing a petition for a contested case hearing at the Office of Administrative Hearings in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
(c)	Judicial Review. – Article 4 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes governs judicial review of a final decision made in a contested case authorized under subsection (b) of this section."
SECTION 3.  G.S. 136‑89.181 reads as rewritten:
"§ 136‑89.181.  Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this Article:
(1)	Department. – The North Carolina Department of Transportation.
(2)	Turnpike Authority. – The public agency created by this Article.
(3)	Authority Board. – The governing board of the Turnpike Authority.
(4)	Turnpike project. – Either of the following:
a.	A road, bridge, or tunnel project planned, or planned and constructed, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
b. A segment of the State highway system the Authority Board converts to a tolled highway pursuant to the authorization in G.S. 136‑89.187. 
(5)	Turnpike system. – All Turnpike projects."
SECTION 4.  G.S. 136‑89.183(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The Authority shall have all of the powers necessary to execute the provisions of this Article, including the following:
(1)	The powers of a corporate body, including the power to sue and be sued, to make contracts, to adopt and use a common seal, and to alter the adopted seal as needed.
(2)	To study, plan, develop, and undertake preliminary design work on up to nine Turnpike Projects. At the conclusion of these activities, the Turnpike Authority is authorized to design, establish, purchase, construct, operate, and maintain the following projects:
a.	Triangle  Expressway, including segments also known as N.C. 540, Triangle Parkway, and Western Wake Freeway in Wake and Durham Counties.b.	Gaston East‑West Connector, also known as the Garden Parkway.
c.	Monroe Connector/Bypass.d.	Cape Fear Skyway.
e.	A bridge of more than two miles in length going from the mainland to a peninsula bordering the State of Virginia, pursuant to G.S. 136‑89.183A.
	
Any other project proposed by the Authority in addition to the projects listed in this subdivision must be approved by the General Assembly prior to construction.
A Turnpike Project selected for construction by the Turnpike Authority shall be included in any applicable locally adopted comprehensive transportation plans and shall be shown in the current State Transportation Improvement Plan prior to the letting of a contract for the Turnpike Project.
(3)	Repealed by Session Laws 2005‑275, s. 2, effective August 12, 2005.
(4)	To rent, lease, purchase, acquire, own, encumber, dispose of, or mortgage real or personal property, including the power to acquire property by eminent domain pursuant to G.S. 136‑89.184.
(5)	To fix, revise, charge, and collect tolls and fees for the use of the Turnpike Projects. Prior to the effective date of any toll or fee for use of a Turnpike Facility, the Authority shall submit a description of the proposed toll or fee to the Board of Transportation, the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations for review.
(6)	To issue bonds or notes of the Authority as provided in this Article.
(6a)	To invest the proceeds of bonds or notes of the Authority that are pending disbursement or other idle funds of the Authority in any investment authorized by G.S. 159‑30.
(7)	To establish, construct, purchase, maintain, equip, and operate any structure or facilities associated with the Turnpike System.
(8)	To pay all necessary costs and expenses in the formation, organization, administration, and operation of the Authority.
(9)	To apply for, accept, and administer loans and grants of money or real or personal property from any federal agency, the State or its political subdivisions, local governments, or any other public or private sources available.
(10)	To adopt, alter, or repeal its own bylaws or rules implementing the provisions of this Article, in accordance with the review and comment requirements of G.S. 136‑89.182(j).
(11)	To utilize employees of the Department; to contract for the services of consulting engineers, architects, attorneys, real estate counselors, appraisers, and other consultants; to employ administrative staff as may be required in the judgment of the Authority; and to fix and pay fees or compensation to the Department, contractors, and administrative employees from funds available to the Authority.
(12)	To receive and use appropriations from the State and federal government.
(13)	To adopt procedures to govern its procurement of services and delivery of Turnpike Projects.
(14)	To perform or procure any portion of services required by the Authority.
(15)	To use officers, employees, agents, and facilities of the Department for the purposes and upon the terms as may be mutually agreeable.
(16)	To contract for the construction, maintenance, and operation of a Turnpike Project.
(17)	To enter into partnership agreements with the Department of Transportation, agreements with political subdivisions of the State, and agreements with private entities, and to expend such funds as it deems necessary, pursuant to such agreements, for the purpose of financing the cost of acquiring, constructing, equipping, operating, or maintaining any Turnpike Project. An agreement entered under this subdivision requires the concurrence of the Board of Transportation if the Department of Transportation is a party to the agreement.
(18)	To utilize incentives in any contract for development or construction of a Turnpike Project, in order to promote expedited delivery of the project."
SECTION 5.  G.S. 136‑89.187 reads as rewritten:  
"§ 136‑89.187.  Conversion of free highways prohibited.
The Authority Board is prohibited from converting any segment of the nontolled State Highway System to a toll facility, except for a segment of N.C. 540 under construction as of July 1, 2006, located in Wake County and extending from the N.C. 54 exit on N.C. 540 to the N.C. 55 exit on N.C. 540. No segment may be converted to a toll route pursuant to this section unless first approved by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or Rural Planning Organization (RPO) of the area in which that segment is located." 
SECTION 6.  G.S. 136‑89.194 reads as rewritten:
"§ 136‑89.194.  Laws applicable to the Authority; exceptions.
(a)	Motor Vehicle Laws. – The Turnpike System shall be considered a "highway" as defined in G.S. 20‑4.01(13) and a "public vehicular area" as defined in G.S. 20‑4.01(32). All law enforcement and emergency personnel, including the State Highway Patrol and the Division of Motor Vehicles, shall have the same powers and duties on the Turnpike System as on any other highway or public vehicular area.
(b)	Applicable Contracting. – For the purposes of implementing this Article, the Authority shall solicit competitive proposals for the construction of Turnpike Projects in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of this Chapter. Contracts for professional engineering services and other kinds of professional or specialized services necessary in connection with construction of Turnpike Projects shall be solicited in accordance with procedures utilized by the Department of Transportation. Cost estimates prepared for the purpose of comparing bids for a Turnpike project are confidential and may not be disclosed until after the opening of bids for the project. 
(c)	Alternative Contracting Methods. – Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Authority may authorize the use of alternative contracting methods if:
(1)	The authorization applies to an individual project;
(2)	The Authority has concluded, and documented in writing, that the alternative contracting method is necessary because the project cannot be completed utilizing the procedures of Article 2 of this Chapter within the necessary time frame or available funding or for other reasons the Authority deems in the public interest;
(3)	The Authority has provided, to the extent possible, for the solicitation of competitive proposals prior to awarding a contract; and
(4)	The approved alternative contracting method provides for reasonable compliance with the disadvantaged business participation goals of G.S. 136‑28.4.
(d)	Entry for Surveys. – The Turnpike Authority and its employees and contractors shall have the same right of entry for surveys, borings, soundings, or examinations as granted the Department of Transportation in G.S. 136‑120.
(e)	Plans and Contract Documents. – The requirements for registering right‑of‑way plans set in G.S. 136‑19.4 apply to right‑of‑way plans of the Turnpike Authority. In applying G.S. 136‑19.4 to the Authority, references to the "Department" are considered references to the "Turnpike Authority" and references to the "Board" are considered references to the "Authority Board." 
Diaries and analyses for contracts of the Turnpike Authority are subject to the same restrictions on disclosure that apply to diaries and analyses for contracts of the Department under G.S. 136‑28.5.
(f)	Construction Claims. – G.S. 136‑29 applies to the adjustment and resolution of Turnpike project construction claims. In applying G.S. 136‑29 to the Turnpike Authority, references to the 'Department of Transportation,' the 'State Highway Administrator,' and a 'State highway' are considered references to the 'Turnpike Authority,' the 'chief engineer of the Turnpike Authority,' and a 'Turnpike project.'
(g)	Contract Exemptions. – The following provisions concerning the purchase of goods and services by a State agency do not apply to the Turnpike Authority:
(1)	Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. The Authority may use the services of the Department of Administration in procuring goods and services that are not specific to establishing and operating a toll revenue system. 
(2)	Article 3D of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes. The Authority may use the services of the Office of Information Technology Services in procuring goods and services that are not specific to establishing and operating a toll revenue system. All contract information for contracts for information technology are subject to disclosure in accordance with G.S. 147‑33.95. 
(h)	APA. – Chapter 150B of the General Statutes does not apply to the Turnpike Authority, except as provided in this section and G.S. 136‑89.217."
SECTION 7.  G.S. 20‑54 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(10)	The North Carolina Turnpike Authority has notified the Division that the owner of the vehicle has not paid the amount of tolls, fees, and civil penalties the owner owes the Authority for use of a Turnpike project."
SECTION 8.  G.S. 20‑63(g) reads as rewritten:
"(g)	Alteration, Disguise, or Concealment of Numbers. – Any operator of a motor vehicle who shall willfully mutilate, bend, twist, cover or cause to be covered or partially covered by any bumper, light, spare tire, tire rack, strap, or other device, or who shall paint, enamel, emboss, stamp, print, perforate, or alter or add to or cut off any part or portion of a registration plate or the figures or letters thereon, or who shall place or deposit or cause to be placed or deposited any oil, grease, or other substance upon such registration plates for the purpose of making dust adhere thereto, or who shall deface, disfigure, change, or attempt to change any letter or figure thereon, or who shall display a number plate in other than a horizontal upright position, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Any operator of a motor vehicle who shall willfully cover or cause to be covered any part or portion of a registration plate or the figures or letters thereon by any device designed or intended to prevent or interfere with the taking of a clear photograph of a registration plate by a traffic control or toll collection system using cameras commits an infraction and shall be fined under G.S. 14‑3.1. Any operator of a motor vehicle who shall otherwise intentionally cover any number or registration renewal sticker on a registration plate with any material that makes the number or registration renewal sticker illegible commits an infraction and shall be fined under G.S. 14‑3.1. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the use of transparent covers that are not designed or intended to prevent or interfere with the taking of a clear photograph of a registration plate by a traffic control or toll collection system using cameras."
SECTION 9.  G.S. 47‑30(l) reads as rewritten:
"(l)	This section does not apply to the registration of highway right‑of‑way plans provided for in  G.S. 136‑19.4 or G.S. 136‑89.184, nor to the registration of roadway corridor official maps provided for in Article 2E of Chapter  136 of the General Statutes."
SECTION 10.  G.S. 146‑65 reads as rewritten:
"§ 146‑65.  Exemptions from Chapter.
 This Chapter does not apply  to any of the following:
(1)	The acquisition of highway rights‑of‑way, borrow pits, or other interests or estates in land acquired for the same or similar purposes, or to the disposition thereof, by the Board of  Transportation or the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.(2)	The North Carolina State Ports  Authority in exercising its powers under G.S. 143B‑452 through G.S. 143B‑467.
"
SECTION 11.  G.S. 136‑89.183A reads as rewritten:  
"§ 136‑89.183A.  Accelerated Pilot Toll Bridge Project.
(a)	Findings. – The General Assembly finds that there is a need for a bridge connecting the Currituck County mainland to the Currituck County Outer Banks; that the bridge should be implemented as a toll bridge; that the bridge should be implemented in a manner that protects the natural environment and quality of life on the Outer Banks; and that the character of the existing road system in Currituck County and Dare County Outer Banks should be preserved.
(b)	Contract to Construct Accelerated Pilot Toll Bridge Project. – The Authority shall contract with a single private firm to design, obtain all necessary permits for, and construct the toll bridge described in G.S. 136‑89.183(a)(2), known as the Mid‑Currituck Bridge,  in order to provide accelerated, efficient, and cost‑effective completion of the project.
(c)	Preconstruction Participation. – In addition to the authority granted by G.S. 136‑89.191, the Department shall participate in the cost of preconstruction activities related to the project described in this section, if requested by the Authority.
(d)	Environmental Protection. – The Authority shall ensure that the Mid‑Currituck Bridge is implemented in a manner that accomplishes all of the following:
(1)	Ensures the preservation of water quality in Currituck Sound.
(2)	Mitigates the environmental impact of the bridge on the Currituck County mainland and the Outer Banks. 
(3)	Reduces traffic congestion and vehicle miles traveled, and preserves the character of the existing road system, in Dare County and Currituck County on the Outer Banks.
(e)	Report on Project. – The Authority shall report to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee on December 1, 2005, and each December 1 thereafter until completion, on the progress of the accelerated pilot toll bridge project described in this section."
SECTION 12.  Section 7 of this act becomes effective January 1, 2011.  Section 8 of this act becomes effective December 1, 2008.  The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.