119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 7797

Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026

In Committee

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

This bill, the Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026, aims to prevent toll evasion by restricting the sale of products that obscure license plates and promoting clear license plate visibility. It directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce restrictions on selling devices that impair readability and establishes a grant program to help states and law enforcement agencies implement technology to identify vehicles that evade tolls. The bill also seeks to provide guidance on best practices for license plate design and readability.

Key provisions

Prohibits the sale of goods designed to impair license plate readability.
Directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these restrictions.
Requires the Federal Highway Administration to publish advisory guidance on license plate readability.
Establishes a grant program to support technology for identifying toll evaders.
Eligible grant recipients include states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and toll facility owners.
The grant program can fund technology development, training, and data sharing initiatives.
A 90-day period is set for the FTC to establish regulations and the FHWA to publish guidance.
The bill authorizes appropriations of $10 million per year from 2027-2030.

Who is affected

Vehicle owners
Automotive parts manufacturers
State motor vehicle agencies
Law enforcement agencies
Toll facilities

Notable changes

Positions across the country

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

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Legislative history

2026-03-04House

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2026-03-04House

2026-03-04

Introduced in House

2026-03-04

Introduced in House

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Mar 4, 2026XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 2d Session

H. R. 7797

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To provide certain requirements and guidance relating to license plate readability, and for other purposes.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026

2.License plate readability

(a)Prohibition on sale of products that impair readability of license plates

(1)In general

No person may sell, offer for sale, or facilitate the sale of—

(A)

a good that is designed or marketed to impair the readability of a license plate;

(B)a fraudulent, counterfeit, or altered license plate, including any plate that—

(i)

falsely displays registration information;

(ii)

mimics or replicates a valid license plate issued by a State without proper authorization; or

(iii)

has been materially altered from its originally issued form to misrepresent vehicle registration information;

(C)

a year of manufacture license plate without authorization from the State in which such plate is intended to be used; or

(D)

a legitimate license plate originally issued by a State without authorization from such State to engage in the sale of such plate.

(2)ExclusionFor purposes of this subsection, a person who receives, holds, or otherwise transports a good or license plate described in paragraph (1) shall not be deemed to be a person facilitating the sale of such good or license plate solely by reason of receiving, holding, or transporting such good or license plate in the ordinary course of business.

(3)Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission

(A)Unfair or deceptive acts or practices

A violation of this subsection or a regulation promulgated under this subsection shall be treated as a violation of a regulation under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices.

(B)Powers of CommissionThe Federal Trade Commission shall enforce this subsection and the regulations promulgated under this subsection in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this subsection. Any person who violates this subsection or a regulation promulgated under this subsection shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act.

(4)Applicability

This subsection shall apply to a sale or offer for sale made on or after the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(5)Regulations

The Federal Trade Commission may promulgate, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, regulations to carry out this subsection.

(6)Rule of constructionNothing in this subsection may be construed to preempt, limit, or otherwise affect the authority of any State or local government to enforce laws, regulations, or ordinances with respect to prohibiting or regulating the use, installation, or operation of a device that impairs the readability of a license plate.

(b)Guidance on license plate readability

(1)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration shall work with industry associations, State motor vehicle agencies, tolling authorities, law enforcement, and other relevant organizations to publish advisory guidance relating to the readability of license plates.

(2)Contents

In publishing the guidance under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall include—

(A)

best practices with respect to the appearance of license plates that facilitates the use and increases the reliability of digital imaging technology in capturing plate information; and

(B)

information regarding license plate frames and covers that reduce the readability of such plate.

(3)No interference with State programsThe guidance published under this subsection shall be advisory only and shall not be construed to require States to modify existing license plate designs, specifications, or programs, or to adopt particular design standards or technical specifications.

(c)Grant program

(1)In general

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration shall establish a grant program to facilitate the use of information technology systems to identify vehicles that regularly evade tolls.

(2)Eligible recipientsIn carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Administrator may make a grant to—

(A)

a State;

(B)a unit of local government;

(C)a law enforcement agency of a State or unit of local government;

(D)a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task force;

(E)a multi-jurisdictional organization representing State licensing agencies and law enforcement; and

(F)

an owner of a toll facility.

(3)ApplicationsTo be eligible for a grant under the program established under paragraph (1), an entity described in paragraph (2) shall submit to the Administrator an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Administrator determines appropriate.

(4)Eligible projectsIn carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Administrator may make a grant for—

(A)

the development and implementation of information technology systems to identify vehicles that regularly evade tolls;

(B)

training programs for law enforcement personnel on the detection and enforcement of license plate obstruction violations;

(C)

data sharing systems that facilitate coordination between law enforcement agencies, State agencies, and owners of toll facilities in identifying repeat violators; and

(D)

other activities that the Administrator determines will enhance enforcement of laws relating to license plate readability.

(d)Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.

HR 7797

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Positions across the country

Arguments in favor

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Bill text

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Positions across the country