Transportation

The bill aimed to give the Tennessee Department of Transportation more power to set tolls on certain state highway facilities, particularly at state borders. This would apply if new vehicle lanes were added or if existing lanes were converted to high occupancy user fee lanes after July 1, 2026. However, the bill ultimately did not pass.

Supporters of the bill argued that expanding tolling authority could help fund necessary infrastructure improvements and maintain road safety. They believed that it would provide a way to manage increased traffic and improve the efficiency of transportation systems at state borders.

Critics contended that the bill could lead to higher costs for commuters and unfairly burden low-income drivers who rely on these highways. They also raised concerns about the potential for increased congestion and the fairness of implementing tolls on existing roads that have already been funded by taxpayers.