Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026 | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 7797Transportation and Public Works

Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026

INTRO MAR 4· LAST ACTION MAR 5

READING

5MIN

COSPONSORS

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because unclear or fake license plates pose a significant challenge to law enforcement, making it harder to identify vehicles involved in crimes or traffic violations. It also contributes to substantial revenue loss for toll roads, as vehicles with obscured plates can avoid paying tolls, shifting the financial burden to law-abiding drivers and potentially impacting road maintenance funds.

If this bill becomes law, it could lead to safer roads by improving vehicle identification, fairer toll collection practices, and more resources for transportation infrastructure. If it doesn't pass, the problems of toll evasion and difficulty in identifying vehicles due to obscured or fake plates would likely continue, potentially affecting public safety and the financial health of critical infrastructure.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Prohibits the sale of products designed to impair license plate readability, or the sale of fraudulent, counterfeit, or unauthorized license plates.

This aims to prevent drivers from intentionally obscuring their vehicle identification or using illegal plates, enhancing public safety and law enforcement capabilities.

PROVISION 02

Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this prohibition, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts under existing FTC law.

This provides a clear federal mechanism for cracking down on the sale of these illegal products, ensuring consistent enforcement nationwide.

PROVISION 03

Requires the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to publish advisory guidance on license plate readability, including best practices for digital imaging and information on frames/covers that reduce readability.

This guidance will help states and manufacturers design plates and accessories that are easily readable by modern technology and human eyes, without forcing states to change their current designs.

PROVISION 04

Establishes an FHWA grant program to help states, local governments, law enforcement, and toll facility owners use technology to identify and address toll evasion.

This provides funding for tools and training that can significantly reduce revenue loss from unpaid tolls and improve enforcement against repeat offenders.

PROVISION 05

Authorizes $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 to carry out the bill's provisions, including the grant program.

This allocates specific funding to support the implementation and ongoing efforts of the bill, ensuring resources are available for its intended goals.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 0

ACTION TIMELINE

4 EVENTS

MAR 5

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

COMMITTEE

MAR 4

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 4

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.

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 4

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 7797

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedMar 4, 2026

Last actionMar 5, 2026

READER REACTIONS

OVERALL SENTIMENT

No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.

Discussion

Loading comments...

Call my reps

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 4, 2026

House BillHR 7797Transportation and Public Works

Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026

INTRODUCED MAR 4, 2026· LAST ACTION MAR 5, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

5 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Prohibits the sale of products designed to impair license plate readability, or the sale of fraudulent, counterfeit, or unauthorized license plates.

This aims to prevent drivers from intentionally obscuring their vehicle identification or using illegal plates, enhancing public safety and law enforcement capabilities.

med

Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this prohibition, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts under existing FTC law.

This provides a clear federal mechanism for cracking down on the sale of these illegal products, ensuring consistent enforcement nationwide.

med

This guidance will help states and manufacturers design plates and accessories that are easily readable by modern technology and human eyes, without forcing states to change their current designs.

high

Establishes an FHWA grant program to help states, local governments, law enforcement, and toll facility owners use technology to identify and address toll evasion.

This provides funding for tools and training that can significantly reduce revenue loss from unpaid tolls and improve enforcement against repeat offenders.

high

Authorizes $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 to carry out the bill's provisions, including the grant program.

This allocates specific funding to support the implementation and ongoing efforts of the bill, ensuring resources are available for its intended goals.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act

Prohibition on certain sales takes effect

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act

Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration to publish advisory guidance on license plate readability

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act

Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration to establish a grant program to facilitate the use of information technology systems to identify vehicles that regularly evade tolls

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

AMOUNT	PROGRAM	TYPE	YEARS
10,000,000	Activities under this Act (including the grant program)	discretionary	fiscal years 2027 through 2030

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative	Subject to penalties provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act, treated as a violation of a regulation regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices.	Any person who sells, offers for sale, or facilitates the sale of prohibited goods or license plates.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Facilitate the sale: To help or make it easier for a sale to happen, but not necessarily being the direct seller. This bill clarifies that simply receiving, holding, or transporting goods in the normal course of business doesn't count as facilitating the sale.
Year of manufacture license plate: An antique or classic car license plate that matches the year the vehicle was made, often used for historical registration, which sometimes requires specific state authorization.
Federal Trade Commission Act: A federal law that gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to prevent unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce.
Preempt: When a higher level of government (like the federal government) passes a law that takes precedence over or overrides a law passed by a lower level of government (like a state or local government).
Promulgate regulations: To formally announce or put into effect a rule or law, typically done by government agencies to provide more detailed instructions on how a law will be carried out.
Authorization of Appropriations: A legislative act that permits money to be spent from the U.S. Treasury for specific programs or agencies. It sets a maximum amount that can be allocated but does not actually provide the money, which requires a separate appropriation act.

ACTION TIMELINE

4 EVENTS

MAR 5

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

COMMITTEE

MAR 4

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 4

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 4

INTROREFERRAL

READER REACTIONS

0 COMMENTS

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What do you think?

0 votes

Discussion

Loading comments...

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Transportation and Infrastructure CommitteeReferred

Mar 4, 2026

house

Search

Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals