H.R. 7797

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7797 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7797

To provide certain requirements and guidance relating to license plate 
readability, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 4, 2026

Mr. Menendez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide certain requirements and guidance relating to license plate 
readability, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate 
Visibility Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. LICENSE PLATE READABILITY.

(a) Prohibition on Sale of Products That Impair Readability of 
License Plates.--
(1) In general.--No person may sell, offer for sale, or 
facilitate the sale of--
(A) a good that is designed or marketed to impair 
the readability of a license plate;
(B) a fraudulent, counterfeit, or altered license 
plate, including any plate that--
(i) falsely displays registration 
information;
(ii) mimics or replicates a valid license 
plate issued by a State without proper 
authorization; or
(iii) has been materially altered from its 
originally issued form to misrepresent vehicle 
registration information;
(C) a year of manufacture license plate without 
authorization from the State in which such plate is 
intended to be used; or
(D) a legitimate license plate originally issued by 
a State without authorization from such State to engage 
in the sale of such plate.
(2) Exclusion.--For purposes of this subsection, a person 
who receives, holds, or otherwise transports a good or license 
plate described in paragraph (1) shall not be deemed to be a 
person facilitating the sale of such good or license plate 
solely by reason of receiving, holding, or transporting such 
good or license plate in the ordinary course of business.
(3) Enforcement by federal trade commission.--
(A) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices.--A 
violation of this subsection or a regulation 
promulgated under this subsection shall be treated as a 
violation of a regulation under section 18(a)(1)(B) of 
the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 
57a(a)(1)(B)) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or 
practices.
(B) Powers of commission.--The Federal Trade 
Commission shall enforce this subsection and the 
regulations promulgated under this subsection in the 
same manner, by the same means, and with the same 
jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all 
applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade 
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated 
into and made a part of this subsection. Any person who 
violates this subsection or a regulation promulgated 
under this subsection shall be subject to the penalties 
and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided 
in the Federal Trade Commission Act.
(4) Applicability.--This subsection shall apply to a sale 
or offer for sale made on or after the date that is 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(5) Regulations.--The Federal Trade Commission may 
promulgate, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United 
States Code, regulations to carry out this subsection.
(6) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
be construed to preempt, limit, or otherwise affect the 
authority of any State or local government to enforce laws, 
regulations, or ordinances with respect to prohibiting or 
regulating the use, installation, or operation of a device that 
impairs the readability of a license plate.
(b) Guidance on License Plate Readability.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Highway 
Administration shall work with industry associations, State 
motor vehicle agencies, tolling authorities, law enforcement, 
and other relevant organizations to publish advisory guidance 
relating to the readability of license plates.
(2) Contents.--In publishing the guidance under paragraph 
(1), the Administrator shall include--
(A) best practices with respect to the appearance 
of license plates that facilitates the use and 
increases the reliability of digital imaging technology 
in capturing plate information; and
(B) information regarding license plate frames and 
covers that reduce the readability of such plate.
(3) No interference with state programs.--The guidance 
published under this subsection shall be advisory only and 
shall not be construed to require States to modify existing 
license plate designs, specifications, or programs, or to adopt 
particular design standards or technical specifications.
(c) Grant Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Highway 
Administration shall establish a grant program to facilitate 
the use of information technology systems to identify vehicles 
that regularly evade tolls.
(2) Eligible recipients.--In carrying out the program 
established under paragraph (1), the Administrator may make a 
grant to--
(A) a State;
(B) a unit of local government;
(C) a law enforcement agency of a State or unit of 
local government;
(D) a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task 
force;
(E) a multi-jurisdictional organization 
representing State licensing agencies and law 
enforcement; and
(F) an owner of a toll facility.
(3) Applications.--To be eligible for a grant under the 
program established under paragraph (1), an entity described in 
paragraph (2) shall submit to the Administrator an application 
in such form, at such time, and containing such information as 
the Administrator determines appropriate.
(4) Eligible projects.--In carrying out the program 
established under paragraph (1), the Administrator may make a 
grant for--
(A) the development and implementation of 
information technology systems to identify vehicles 
that regularly evade tolls;
(B) training programs for law enforcement personnel 
on the detection and enforcement of license plate 
obstruction violations;
(C) data sharing systems that facilitate 
coordination between law enforcement agencies, State 
agencies, and owners of toll facilities in identifying 
repeat violators; and
(D) other activities that the Administrator 
determines will enhance enforcement of laws relating to 
license plate readability.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2027 through 2030.
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