Study Alternative Methods for Highway Funding
Plain English Summary
This bill directs the North Carolina General Assembly to hire a consultant to study alternative ways to fund highway construction and maintenance, potentially replacing or supplementing the current gas tax system. The study will examine fees on electric and hybrid vehicles, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees, and a flat annual highway access fee for non-diesel vehicles, with findings due by May 1, 2026. The study will cost $125,000 from the Highway Fund.
Arguments in Favor
Supporters argue that as vehicle fleets become more electric and fuel-efficient, gas tax revenue will decline, threatening highway funding. This study allows the state to proactively explore sustainable funding alternatives that ensure all drivers contribute fairly to road maintenance and construction, including electric vehicle owners who currently pay little to support highway infrastructure they use.
Arguments Against
Opponents contend that creating new fees on electric vehicles or implementing VMT tracking systems could discourage adoption of cleaner vehicles and burden drivers with additional costs. They also argue the study's focus on replacing the gas tax with an access fee or per-mile charge raises concerns about increased government tracking of vehicle usage and may disproportionately affect rural drivers who travel longer distances.
AI-generated analysis based on bill text. Always verify with official sources at ncleg.gov. This is not legal or political advice.
Sponsors
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 3
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 37
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 17
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 113
Cosponsors (10)
Representative · District 84
Representative · District 5
Representative · District 45
Representative · District 41
Representative · District 59
Representative · District 40
Representative · District 61
Representative · District 31
Representative · District 82
Representative · District 96