§ 27-86-211 - Toll rates on privately owned bridges in state highway system.
27-86-211. Toll rates on privately owned bridges in state highway system.
(a) The State Highway Commission is empowered to fix and enforce the schedule or rate of tolls to be collected on any privately owned toll bridge located on any road embraced in the state highway system.
(b) In fixing schedules or rates, regard shall be had to the interests of the owner and the public, so that the owner shall be allowed to collect such rates as shall afford him a fair return on the value of his property, and the public shall not be required to pay more than is required to net such return.
(c) As the state is spending millions of dollars in building roads, not only to serve its own citizens, but to induce tourists to visit the state, and as a certain percent of tourists will buy land and become citizens, the state should protect the interests of the public against those who operate toll bridges that injure the state as a whole by charging tolls to pay interest and dividends on watered bonds and stock. One of the purposes of this section is to grant protection to the state and the public.
(d) All suits involving the validity of this section or any portion thereof shall be deemed matters of public interest and shall be advanced and disposed of at the earliest possible moment. Appeals in these suits must be taken and perfected within thirty (30) days from the date of the judgment or decree.