MARYLAND (WBFF) — Essex resident Breezy Ludwig says a daily $1.40 commute through the Fort McHenry Tunnel spiraled into a staggering $54,000 in tolls and fines — a debt she still can’t fully explain.

Ludwig’s case is not isolated. Across Maryland, drivers are reporting toll debt ballooning into the tens of thousands of dollars. Some dispute the accuracy of their E-ZPass charges or say they weren’t aware of them, while others say they simply can’t afford the high penalties.

Now, bipartisan lawmakers are stepping in with legislation aimed at giving the state more flexibility to reduce what some call “egregious” debt.

Ludwig said she first noticed duplicate toll charges in 2020, along with an unexpected switch to pay-by-plate and video toll rates of $4 and $6 per trip. As fines of $25 per unpaid toll piled up, she spent hours trying to resolve the issue through the E-ZPass call center.

Over time, the charges grew to what she described as a “paralyzing” $54,000. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) ultimately agreed to settle with her for $8,000.

“I kind of felt like I was losing it when this happened to me,” Ludwig said. “It balloons to this inflated number that’s terrifying and feels immobilizing.”

The MDTA confirmed that it settled with Ludwig and her husband to reduce their fines but said they can’t comment further on their case due to privacy concerns. Call center wait times have significantly decreased to about 30 seconds – much faster than they were during the COVID-19 pandemic and their transition to a new call center and system, according to MDTA.

Ludwig’s experience mirrors complaints from other drivers who say relatively small toll balances quickly snowball into overwhelming debt. Some have taken their concerns directly to lawmakers in Annapolis.

A bill sponsored by Republican Senator J.B. Jennings would allow MDTA to reduce debts even after they’ve been transferred to the Department of Budget and Management’s Central Collection Unit (CCU).

Jennings said constituents are often told that once debt is sent to CCU, it is out of MDTA’s control. His bill is intended to provide flexibility, not eliminate responsibility.

“You have to pay your toll. And you should pay some, you know, your interest, and somewhat of a fine,” Jennings said during a bill hearing. “But sometimes it just gets so egregious.”

Charges as high as $100,000

Jennings’ office regularly hears from constituents who owe $10,000 or more in E-ZPass debt, according to Rebecca Powell, Jennings’ communications director. And Ludwig’s case is not the most extreme story lawmakers have heard.

At recent hearings, Marylanders described debts that escalated dramatically:

Heather Gerry said she owes nearly $100,000.

Brett Wilson said $900 in tolls grew to $30,000 before he realized there was a problem.

Nursing student Shawniece Turner said she is “completely scared” to drive because she cannot renew her registration with $35,000 in outstanding fines and tolls.

“The tolls still must be paid, but the penalties should reflect the actual cost of collection, not trap people in a cycle of debt,” Powell said in a text message.

Democratic Del. Jen Terrasa, who cross-filed the bill, said errors and rapid notices can quickly compound.

“The notices come so fast and furious, and if your information is wrong in the first place, it can add up and move on, and you owe so much more than you ever would have owed in the first place.”

The legislation gained momentum this week after inquiries from Spotlight on Maryland, passing out of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Tuesday and passing the full Senate on Thursday. Its future remains uncertain with just over a week left in the legislative session and no response from Gov. Wes Moore’s office on whether he would sign it.

Impact on state revenues

It’s unclear what impact the bill could have on the state’s revenues.

The MDTA told Spotlight it referred a little more than $43 million in video toll debt and approximately $158 million in civil penalty debt to CCU in the 2024 fiscal year.

“We’re not saying that much is going to be relieved, at all,” Jennings said. “It’s just giving them the ability, should a constituent go to them, or they work it out with a constituent.”

State analysts say the impact on revenue may be limited.

A Department of Legislative Services fiscal note found that while MDTA and CCU warned of potential revenue loss, the effect would likely be minimal because MDTA already has authority to recall delinquent accounts. The bill could instead streamline how debt is reduced.

CCU currently collects a 17% fee on outstanding debt, with a portion going to the state’s general fund.

In a statement, MDTA said any changes must balance relief with “maintaining fairness to the 95% of the population that pays their tolls.”

For drivers like Ludwig, that balance still feels out of reach.

“I mean any penalty – civil penalty – that is four times the original violation amount is meant to punish and to paralyze,” Ludwig said. “‘Predatory’ is the perfect word for it.”

Have a news tip? Contact Brooke Conrad at bjconrad@sbgtv.com or 443-578-2126, or contact the Spotlight team at SpotlightOnMaryland@sbgtv.com or 410-467-4670. Spotlight on Maryland is a joint venture by The Baltimore Sun, FOX45 News