Imposes a road usage fee on certain electric and hybrid vehicles (EN INCREASE SD RV See Note)
Impact
The bill's implementation is expected to generate significant funds for road and bridge preservation projects in Louisiana. Specifically, 70% of the proceeds from the fees will be deposited into the Construction Subfund of the Transportation Trust Fund and allocated for highway maintenance and improvements. The remaining 30% will be distributed to local governments, allowing them to utilize the funds for transportation-related purposes. This means that the bill will directly impact state and local transportation budgets and planning.
Summary
House Bill 1031 seeks to impose an annual road usage fee on electric and hybrid vehicles operating on the highways of Louisiana. This fee is set at a maximum of $110 for electric vehicles and $60 for hybrid vehicles. The bill aims to address the loss of revenue from gasoline taxes due to the increasing prevalence of fuel-efficient vehicles that contribute less to maintenance and infrastructure funding, reflecting a growing concern over how to equitably fund road maintenance as vehicle technology evolves.
Sentiment
Overall, the sentiment around HB 1031 appears to be supportive in legislative discussions, with many recognizing the necessity of finding new revenue sources to maintain Louisiana’s aging infrastructure. However, some skepticism remains regarding the fairness of imposing additional fees on electric and hybrid vehicle owners, as these vehicles typically contribute less to road wear compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. The discussions highlight the balance between promoting clean energy vehicles and ensuring sustainable funding for roads.
Contention
One notable point of contention revolves around the exemption of school buses from the fee, which some may view as a necessary measure to support public education, while others might argue it sets a precedent for excluding certain vehicle types from state funding mechanisms. Furthermore, the prorated fee schedule for vehicles operating less than a year has raised questions about how well it would capture actual road usage and whether it would be viewed as equitable among different vehicle users.
Dedicates a portion of the existing tax levied on gasoline and diesel into the Construction Subfund and imposes a one-time road-use fee on electric and hybrid vehicles (RE SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)
Increases the per gallon excise tax on gasoline, diesel, and certain special fuels and levies an excise tax on electric and hybrid vehicles (OR -$305,000,000 GF RV See Note)
Adjusts the amount of excise tax levied on gasoline, diesel, and special fuels and levies new taxes on gasoline, diesel, special fuels, and electric and hybrid vehicles (EG INCREASE SD RV See Note)