Bill > S1851

This bill establishes a task force to explore alternative funding sources for transportation, moving beyond the traditional motor vehicle fuel tax which is becoming less effective due to factors like fuel-efficient vehicles and declining petroleum supplies. The task force, composed of various experts and representatives, will guide the development and evaluation of a pilot program to test a vehicle mileage user fee, where drivers would pay based on the number of miles they travel on roads. This pilot program, to be implemented by the Department of Transportation, will involve at least 1,000 volunteer drivers across the state using on-board equipment to track mileage, and will assess the reliability, cost, privacy, and public acceptance of such a system, with participants being compensated to ensure they don't pay more than they would otherwise. Finally, the Department of Transportation will report the results of this pilot study to the legislature within three years, including recommendations on the feasibility of permanently implementing a mileage-based fee.