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119-hr-7797119th CongressWALLET

Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]

In Committee

Summary

Stops toll evasion by banning products that make license plates unreadable and by boosting enforcement and technology to identify repeat violators. This bill would give the Federal Trade Commission authority to treat sales of plate-obscuring goods and counterfeit or altered plates as unfair or deceptive acts, require the Federal Highway Administration to publish nonbinding readability guidance, and create a grant program to help jurisdictions find vehicles that regularly dodge tolls.

Show full summary
  • Drivers and commuters: Stricter rules and new enforcement tools aim to reduce unpaid tolls and make tolling systems more reliable.
  • State and local toll authorities and law enforcement: Could receive grants to build IT systems, share data, and train officers; the bill authorizes $10.0 million per year from 2027 through 2030 to carry out the program.
  • Manufacturers and sellers of plate covers and counterfeit plates: Would face a ban on sales of products designed to impair plate readability and potential penalties under the FTC Act.

*Would authorize $10.0 million per year from 2027 through 2030 for implementation, increasing federal outlays during those years.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Ban on selling plate-hiding products

If enacted, the bill would ban selling or facilitating sale of products meant to make license plates unreadable. It would also ban fake, counterfeit, or materially altered plates, year-of-manufacture plates without State permission, and State plates sold without the issuing State's authorization. The ban would apply to sales made on or after the date 90 days after enactment. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce violations as unfair or deceptive acts and could issue rules to carry out the ban. The bill would not stop States and local governments from setting their own rules on plate use and readability.

Grants to detect repeat toll evaders

If enacted, the Federal Highway Administration would set up a grant program within 90 days to help identify vehicles that regularly evade tolls. States, local governments, law enforcement task forces, multi-jurisdiction organizations, and owners of toll facilities would be eligible to apply. Grants would fund IT systems to spot repeat toll evaders, training on detecting blocked plates, and data-sharing systems to coordinate enforcement. The bill would authorize $10,000,000 for each fiscal year 2027 through 2030, and Congress would need to appropriate the funds before grants are made.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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