A toll project operator shall not initiate collection procedures that are regulated by federal law against a registered owner in any of the following circumstances:

(A) During the thirty-five-day period after the date of mailing of an invoice or a late notice to the registered owner;

(B) The registered owner has timely submitted a notice to contest liability for a user fee or any administrative fee to the toll project operator. The toll project operator may initiate collection procedures that are regulated by federal law against such a registered owner if, at the hearing conducted by the hearing officer described in section 5533.144 of the Revised Code, the hearing officer finds that the registered owner is liable for payment of the user fee or administrative fee at issue and the registered owner does not pay the fee at issue in full within thirty-five days after the hearing officer makes the finding.

(C) The registered owner has filed a request for an appeal hearing with the municipal court or county court having jurisdiction over the location of the toll project. The toll project operator may initiate collection procedures that are regulated by federal law against such a registered owner if, at the appeal hearing conducted by the municipal court or county court described in section 5533.144 of the Revised Code, the court finds that the registered owner is liable for payment of the user fee or administrative fee at issue and the registered owner does not pay the fee at issue in full within thirty-five days after the court issues a ruling to that effect.

(D) The toll project operator has filed a civil suit against the registered owner in the municipal court or county court having jurisdiction over the location of the toll project.

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