THE STATE WANTS A TOLL TAG ON EVERY VEHICLE

Representative Larry Phillips, Vice-Chair of the House Transportation Committee,
has filed HB-2893 a bill that if passed will require every motor vehicle in Texas
to be equipped with an electronic toll tag. If Phillips gets what he wants your
inspection sticker will contain an electronic device called a transponder. This
is the same radio signal device called a toll tag. It will contain detailed
identification and information about your car that can be tied to your registration
and title information. It will also be used to charge tolls for all present and
future toll roads and other toll facilities statewide.

This technology will allow any motor vehicle in Texas to be remotely identified and
tracked without the driver’s knowledge. In fact, that is exactly what this bill is
intended to do. The state (or even worse a private contractor for the state) will
electronically monitor vehicles on the highway and check them against a insurance
database. Registered owners of vehicles that do not appear in the insurance database
will be sent a bill for $250.00.

Anywhere a nearby radio signal can be beamed at your vehicle it can be identified.

There is no question that this is just the tip of the iceberg if we start down the
path of establishing a Big Brother system administered by fee and fine mercenaries.

Instantly freeways, highways, roads, and special lanes can become tolled. The code
word for this program is “Managed Lanes.” There is an agenda here. There is big
money in tolls and private enforcement programs. There are giant opportunities for
abuse and attacks on civil liberties.

Today it will monitor your insurance. What will it monitor tomorrow?

Remember Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson’s quote?
On October 11, 2004 he said, “in your lifetime most existing roads will have tolls.”
He said existing roads, not just new roads, or special toll roads. Yes, the future
is taxing through tolls.

Now we know how they will collect the tolls from all of us!

EXCERPT FROM HB-2893

Sec. 601.507.  SPECIAL INSPECTION CERTIFICATES. 

(a)  Commencing not later than January 1, 2006, the department shall
issue or contract for the issuance of special inspection certificates to be
affixed to motor vehicles that are inspected and found to be in proper and
safe condition under Chapter 548.
(b)  An inspection certificate under this section must contain a
tamper-resistant transponder, and at a minimum, be capable of storing:
(1)  the transponder’s unique identification number; and
(2)  the make, model, and vehicle identification number of
the vehicle to which the certificate is affixed.
(c)  In addition, the transponder must be compatible with:
(1)  the automated vehicle registration and certificate of
title system established by the Texas Department of Transportation; and
(2)  interoperability standards established by the Texas
Department of Transportation and other entities for use of the system of
toll roads and toll facilities in this state.

You can read the entire bill online at http://www.house.state.tx.us/bills/welcome.php