Illinois House Bill HB3191

Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/16/23
• Refer: 2/17/23
• Refer: 2/28/23
• Refer: 3/10/23

Caption

MOTOR FUEL-WATERWAYS

Impact

The operationalization of HB3191 could significantly improve the financial autonomy of local waterway agencies, empowering them to more effectively manage and maintain waterways through the dedicated funding of taxes collected in their jurisdictions. This local financial control could enable quicker responses to maintenance needs and ongoing environmental management efforts designed to preserve waterway health. As a result, the communities alongside these waterways would likely benefit from enhanced local infrastructural support and environmental conservation efforts.

Summary

House Bill 3191 amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law in Illinois by mandating that the proceeds from taxes levied on the sale of motor fuel sold on waterways in Illinois are to be returned to the local waterway agency or the Department of Natural Resources. The bill specifies that these funds must be utilized for what is termed 'waterway purposes', which includes maintenance, repair, construction, and upkeep of Illinois waterways. The intent is to ensure that the financial resources generated from fuel sales are directly invested back into the infrastructure that facilitates these waterway operations.

Contention

While the bill appears to have strong local support, there may be concerns regarding the potential for funding misallocation or the adequacy of resources provided in contexts where motor fuel sales are low. Critics could argue that reliance on fuel tax as a primary funding source for waterways may create volatility in funding levels. Additionally, there might be ongoing discussions about balancing state-level funding with local agency initiatives, especially considering competing funding priorities within both local and state budgets.