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5/7/2026
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Sen. Euer bill would proactively address failing transponders, notify drivers of unpaid tolls
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STATE HOUSE — Sen. Dawn Euer has sponsored legislation to address the issue of failing toll transponders by proactively replacing transponders before their failure and notifying drivers of unpaid tolls before they risk losing their license.
“Unbeknownst to drivers, transponder batteries are expiring across Rhode Island, leading to heavy fines and the potential for suspended licenses before the driver has any idea what’s happened,” said Senator Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown). “These batteries cannot be replaced and there is no way for a driver to know that the battery has failed until the fines arrive. This has been an ongoing source of frustration for drivers in my district and across the state. The Bridge Authority should establish a proactive, affirmative outreach plan to replace these transponders before drivers face astronomical fines and late fees, which is what this legislation mandates.”
This legislation (2026-S 2728) introduced by Senator Euer would require the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to establish rules and regulations to cover transponder failures, including outreach and free replacements and mitigation or forgiveness of tolls and penalties resulting from transponder failure.
It would also require RITBA to send a notice to violators via email or mail informing them that their driver’s license and vehicle registration may be in jeopardy for failing to pay tolls before reporting those violations to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.
Under current law, if a driver has any unpaid tolls, fees or fines after 90 days of the original issuance and has incurred at least 10 instances of failure to pay the required toll or fee amounts, they risk being unable to renew their driver’s license and vehicle registration.
According to RITBA, around 6,500 transponder batteries failed in 2025.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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