§7019.1.  Collection of tolls, fees, and charges on Crescent City Connection Bridge; prohibition; amnesty program

A.  Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 47:7012 and 7013, or any other law to the contrary, the Department of Transportation and Development shall not take any action to collect a toll, charge, administrative fee, or late charge from any person who failed to pay a toll to cross the Crescent City Connection Bridge, beginning on January 1, 2013, and continuing through March 5, 2013.

B.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, as of August 1, 2013, notices of violations or delinquencies shall not be required to be sent to any person alleged to have failed to pay a toll to cross the Crescent City Connection Bridge prior to January 1, 2013.

C.(1)  The department shall establish a toll violation amnesty program for all persons alleged to have failed to pay a toll to cross the Crescent City Connection Bridge prior to January 1, 2013.

(2)(a)  The department shall begin conducting the program no later than August 1, 2013, and shall conclude the program on October 1, 2013.

(b)  The department shall publicize the program in order to maximize the public awareness of and participation in the program.

(3)  During the program, the department shall not take any action to collect a charge, administrative fee, or late charge from a person who is alleged to have failed to pay a toll to cross the Crescent City Connection Bridge prior to January 1, 2013.

(4)(a)  Any person who has entered into a payment plan agreement in connection with an alleged failure to pay a toll to cross the Crescent City Connection Bridge prior to January 1, 2013, shall be entitled to avail themselves of the program.

(b)  Persons who avail themselves of the program shall be relieved of any further obligations pursuant to any payment plan agreement, and be obligated only to pay amounts due under the program.

(c)  The department may develop and implement procedures for applying payments made under payment plan agreements as credits against any amounts due under the program.

(5)  The department shall deposit all funds collected during the amnesty program into the Crescent City Transition Fund.

(6)  Upon conclusion of the program, the department shall do the following:

(a)  Notify the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, of all persons who disposed of toll violations pursuant to the program.  The office of motor vehicles shall be prohibited from refusing to renew the driver's licenses of any such persons for the alleged failure to respond to a notice from the department pertaining to the alleged failure to pay a toll to cross the Crescent City Connection Bridge.

(b)  Submit all evidence of outstanding toll violations alleged to have occurred prior to January 1, 2013, to the Department of Justice or the Department of Revenue for collection.

Acts 2013, No. 274, §1, eff. June 13, 2013.