[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7797 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7797
To provide certain requirements and guidance relating to license plate
readability, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 4, 2026
Mr. Menendez introduced the following bill; which was 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide certain requirements and guidance relating to license plate
readability, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate
Visibility Act of 2026''.
SEC. 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) Exclusion.--For 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 commission.--The 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 construction.--Nothing 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 general.--Not 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 programs.--The 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 recipients.--In 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) Applications.--To 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 projects.--In 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.
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