(A) The department of transportation may collect a user fee by utilizing a system of collection that is capable of charging an account holder the appropriate user fee by transmission of information from an electronic toll collection device on a motor vehicle. In addition, for any motor vehicle that does not use an electronic toll collection device, the department may utilize an electronic-monitoring system for user fee collection.

(B)

(1) If a motor vehicle uses a toll project and the user fee is not paid through an electronic toll collection device or otherwise, the toll project operator first shall use the electronic-monitoring system for the toll project to determine if the registered owner of the motor vehicle has established an account for the payment of the user fee. If such an account has been established, the toll project operator shall charge the account holder the appropriate user fee. If the toll project operator cannot locate an established account, or if the toll project operator locates an established account but the account cannot be charged the appropriate user fee, the toll project operator may send by regular first class mail an invoice for the unpaid user fee. The toll project operator shall include with the invoice the information described in section 5531.143 of the Revised Code. The toll project operator shall send the invoice to the registered owner of the motor vehicle as shown in the records of either of the following:

(a) The bureau of motor vehicles;

(b) The department, division, bureau, office, or other unit of government of any other state or jurisdiction that is functionally equivalent to the bureau of motor vehicles.

(2) With respect to any user fee and any associated administrative fee, the toll project operator, in the toll project operator's sole discretion, may determine not to pursue collection of that user fee or administrative fee or to terminate collection measures in relation to that user fee or administrative fee.

Added by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 533, §1, eff. 9/11/2014.