Parkways warns EZPass bill allowing multi-vehicle use could cost millions; lawmakers weigh fixes

The Senate Transportation Infrastructure Committee heard extended testimony and questioning on a committee substitute for House Bill 4563, a measure that would allow a West Virginia E‑ZPass transponder issued on a personal account to be transferred among up to five enrolled vehicles owned by the same licensee.

Chuck Smith, executive director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority, told the committee that the Authority can issue bonds and that large bridge replacements are on the horizon. He said Parkways estimates the proposal would reduce annual revenues by about $1,700,000 and would require substantial additional plate‑review work and software upgrades. "So in all, first year, you're looking at $11,000,000 probably in that range," Smith said, explaining the estimate includes roughly 8,000,000 additional transactions at about $1.13 apiece.

Samuel Polley, the Parkways Authority chief financial officer, told senators the Authority lacks a back‑office system to reliably enforce a registered five‑vehicle rule and that current plate‑image confidence levels require human review for many images. "Without that human review, to enforce this ... we believe we're gonna suffer loss of revenue and extreme expense," Polley testified.

Supporters of the bill, including Delegate Eric Brooks, the House sponsor, said the intent is convenience for frequent users. "I've always looked at the transponder as a mechanism that gets me personally through the tolls regardless of the vehicle I'm in," Brooks said, urging a grace period and technical fixes so the law would not impose an immediate enforcement burden.

Several senators pressed Parkways witnesses on legal and bond implications. Smith and Polley said the Parkways' toll rate schedule and master trust indenture for bondholders currently tie discounted transponders to a specific vehicle class and vehicle assignment, and that changing that foundation would require consultation with bond trustees and possibly adjustments to the toll rate schedule.

Members debated whether allowing transfers across vehicles would simply reduce duplicate purchases or instead create material revenue loss and enforcement burdens. Some senators proposed a conceptual amendment that would simplify statutory language and add a proviso: nothing in the section mandates the Parkways Authority to read every plate at toll plazas.

With questions about the fiscal note and bond consequences unresolved, Senator Randolph asked that the bill be referred to the Finance Committee for further review. The chair recessed the Transportation Infrastructure Committee pending the conclusion of Judiciary and Finance committee meetings.

Next steps: the committee paused consideration and is expected to return after Finance or Judiciary completes its hearings.