- Washington State Bill Would Impose Supplemental Mileage-Based User Fee
- Maryland Governor Forms Coalition To Support Increased Transportation Funding
- US Senator Proposes EV Purchasers Contribute To Federal Highway Trust Fund
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Washington State Bill Would Impose Supplemental Mileage-Based User Fee
The Seattle Times reports on Washington State legislation, HB 1921, that proposes to create a mileage-based road use charge (RUC) program supplemental to the state’s gas tax. The bill would initiate the program in three phases between 2027 and 2035. Participation would initially be voluntary starting with EV and hybrid vehicle owners, but all types of passenger vehicles would eventually be enrolled in the program. Commercial trucks and other heavy vehicles would be exempt from participation. Drivers would self-report mileage on an annual basis, paying an initial rate of 2.6 cents per mile. Any state fuel taxes a driver pays would be credited against the RUC fees he or she owes.
The prime sponsor, House Transportation Committee Chair Jake Fey (D-27), says the bill ensures that all drivers make a contribution to highway maintenance, and it will raise the funds needed to close the state’s transportation budget shortfall. He failed to move RUC legislation out of his committee during two previous legislative sessions but thinks the current bill will win support, “pointing to the number of new legislators, as well as lawmaker fatigue over continually dealing with inadequate transportation revenue and delayed projects.”
Washington State began working on an RUC Program in 2012. Information about the progress of RUC development and an analysis of HB 1921 can be found on the state transportation commission website. The House Transportation Committee held an initial hearing on the bill last Thursday, February 13.
KUOW also reports on the new RUC proposal.
Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Road Use Charging (RUC-MBUF-VMT) Washington State Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)Maryland Governor Forms Coalition To Support Increased Transportation Funding
On Friday, Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) announced the formation of a coalition to support his administration’s proposed six-year Consolidated Transportation Program and its goal of investing $420 million annually in various projects and programs including roadway resurfacing, bridge repairs, and highway safety upgrades.
The members of the group — called MOVE (Mobilizing Opportunities for Vital Economic Growth) Maryland — represent more than 40 public and private sector entities. According to the governor, they share his conviction that “[y]ou cannot have economic mobility without physical mobility” and therefore volunteered to help increase state infrastructure spending. Moore said the advocacy partnership “will create jobs, grow our economy, and make transportation across our state safer and more reliable for all.”
Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Maryland Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Public Outreach And CommunicationUS Senator Proposes EV Purchasers Contribute To Federal Highway Trust Fund
Transportation Today reports, “Legislation that would support infrastructure investments by ensuring electric vehicles . . . pay into the Highway Trust Fund . . . was reintroduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Feb. 12.” Fischer’s bill (S 536) is titled the Fair SHARE (Sharing of Highways and Roads for Electric Vehicles) Act. Its intent is to level the playing field between EVs, which don’t contribute to the federal trust fund, and gas-powered cars.
According to a fact sheet prepared by the senator, the bill would require EV owners to pay a one-time fee of $1,000 at the point of sale. An additional one-time fee of $550 on each battery module with a weight greater than 1,000 pounds would be imposed at the manufacturer level. Fischer makes a point of emphasizing that batteries add substantial weight to electric vehicles, which means they contribute more to roadway wear and tear than comparable gas-powered models.
Several organizations, including the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), the American Society of Civil Engineers, and trucking trade groups, support the Senate bill and its House companion.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles US Department of Transportation (USDOT) US Gov't Transportation Funding US Highway Trust FundThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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