Bill > HB1374

This bill repeals the annual surcharge previously required for registering zero-emission vehicles and plug-in electric drive vehicles, and instead mandates that owners of alternative fuel vehicles, fuel-efficient vehicles (defined as those getting at least 25 miles per gallon), and plug-in electric drive vehicles pay an annual highway use fee. This fee is calculated to approximate the motor fuel taxes these vehicles would pay if they used gasoline, with specific formulas for plug-in electric drive vehicles and a calculation based on fuel efficiency for alternative fuel and fuel-efficient vehicles. The collected fees will be deposited into a newly established Highway Use Fee Account within the Transportation Trust Fund, and these funds are specifically designated for the Maryland Area Regional Commuter Rail Service and cannot be diverted to the general fund. Additionally, the bill establishes a voluntary Mileage-Based User Fee Program, allowing eligible vehicle owners to opt into paying a fee based on the miles they drive instead of the annual highway use fee, with protections for participant data and privacy.