Authority of department or toll agencies to advertise and promote electronic toll collection; expanded uses of electronic toll collection system; authority of department to collect tolls, fares, and fees for private and public entities.

(1) The department may incur expenses for paid advertising, marketing, and promotion of toll facilities and electronic toll collection products and services. Promotions may include discounts and free products.

(2) The department may receive funds from advertising placed on electronic toll collection products and promotional materials to defray the costs of products and services.

(3) The department or any toll agency created by statute may incur expenses to advertise or promote its electronic toll collection system to consumers on or off the turnpike or toll system.

(4) If the department or toll agency created by statute finds that it can increase nontoll revenues or add convenience or other value for its customers, the department or toll agency may enter into agreements with a private or public entity allowing the use of its electronic toll collection system to pay parking fees for vehicles equipped with a transponder or similar device. The department or toll agency may initiate feasibility studies of other future uses of its electronic toll collection system and make recommendations to the Legislature to authorize such uses.

(5) If the department finds that it can increase nontoll revenues or add convenience or other value for its customers, and if a public or private transportation facility owner agrees that its facility will become interoperable with the department’s electronic toll collection and video billing systems, the department may enter into an agreement with the owner of such facility under which the department uses its electronic toll collection and video billing systems to collect and enforce for the owner tolls, fares, administrative fees, and other applicable charges due in connection with use of the owner’s facility. The department may modify its rules regarding toll collection procedures and the imposition of charges to be applicable to toll facilities that are not part of the turnpike system or otherwise owned by the department. This subsection does not limit the authority of the department under any other law or under any agreement entered into before July 1, 2012.