{"AmendmentNumber":"457","ParentBillNumber":"S3178","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"JAC0","Name":"Julian Cyr","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/JAC0","ResponseDate":"2026-07-20T13:55:35.837"},"Category":null,"Action":"Rejected","RollCall":[],"Title":"Ending Debt-Based Driving","Branch":"Senate","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. Cyr, Ms. Miranda, Messrs. Lewis, Mark, Oliveira, Payano and  Gómez, Ms. Jehlen, Ms. Edwards, Ms. Creem, Mr. Eldridge, Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Montigny move that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following sections:-\r\nSECTION X. Section 13 of chapter 6C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after subsection (c) the following subsections:-\r\n(d) The department shall regularly review fees and fines assessed under the Pay By Plate and EZDriveMA Systems, as defined in 700 CMR 11.02. At least once a month the department shall identify persons owing tolls, fines, fees or other debts of $50 or more. The department shall attempt to make contact with these account holders using all possible means to let them know their account status and to explain actions they can take to address their account balances. These efforts shall include, but are not limited to, comparing address information on file with the national change of address registry, communicating with the account holder by email or text, and calling the account holder by mobile and home phone.\r\n(e) Any individual owing tolls, fines, fees, or penalties under the Pay By Plate or EZDriveMA Systems, as defined in 700 CMR 11.02, may request a payment plan for financial hardship. Under this plan, the minimum monthly payment due shall be $25, unless such amount exceeds 2% of the individual’s non-exempt monthly net income, in which case the monthly payment shall not exceed this threshold. Individuals may submit a declaration to establish their income. The department may accept automatic monthly payments by credit or debit card on file with the department or payments made by check or money order received by mail or in person. License suspension, license nonrenewal, and registration suspension shall not be imposed as a penalty for default.\r\nSECTION X. Chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out sections 20G and 20H and inserting in place thereof the following sections:-\r\nSection 20G. If a person fails to appear in accordance with a notice to appear issued pursuant to a Massachusetts Department of Transportation regulation or fails to pay in a timely manner a violation issued pursuant to such regulations after having received notice thereof, the department shall notify the registrar who shall place the matter on record and shall not renew the registrations of any vehicles owned by such person until the matter has been disposed of in accordance with applicable law or regulation. The liability of lessors of motor vehicles for violations on facilities owned by the department shall be governed by department regulations in a manner consistent with the provisions of section 20E. The registrar shall prescribe the manner, form and content of any notice received from the department to take such action.\r\nSection 20H. If a person fails to appear in accordance with a notice to appear issued for a failure to pay or prepay the required toll on the Tobin Bridge, pursuant to a Massachusetts Department of Transportation regulation or fails to pay in a timely manner a fine issued pursuant to such regulations after having received notice thereof, the department shall notify the registrar, who shall place the matter on the record and shall not renew the registration of any vehicle owned by the person until the matter has been disposed of in accordance with applicable law or regulation. The registrar shall prescribe the manner, form and content of any notice received from the department to take such action.\r\nSECTION X. Clause (6) of subsection (A) of section 3 of chapter 90C is hereby amended by striking out subpart (a) and inserting in place thereof the following subpart:--\r\n(a) If a violator fails either to pay the full amount of the scheduled assessment to the registrar or to request a noncriminal hearing within 20 days of the date of the citation plus such grace period as the registrar shall allow, or fails to appear for a noncriminal hearing before a magistrate or a justice at the time required after having been given notice of such hearing either personally or by first class mail directed to such violator’s mail address as reported to the registrar and after notice of such failure has been given to the registrar by the clerk-magistrate, the registrar shall notify such violator by first class mail directed to such violator’s mail address that unless and until the violator pays to the registrar the full amount of the scheduled or imposed assessments for such civil motor vehicle infractions, plus any late or other administrative fees provided for by law or regulation, any registration of a motor vehicle issued to such violator by the registrar shall not be renewed upon or after the expiration date of such registration, unless such fees are waived in whole or in part by the registrar.\r\nSECTION X Section 2A of chapter 211D is hereby amended by striking out the last sentence of subsection (h).\r\nSECTION X. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, within 90 days of the effective date of this Act, the registrar of motor vehicles shall reinstate all licenses, privileges to operate a motor vehicle, and registrations no longer subject to suspension, nonrenewal, or revocation after passage of this Act. The registrar shall notify such individuals by first class mail of such reinstatement, along with an account of any unpaid assessments, and instructions on how to pay such assessments.\r\n"}