Date: 09/30/2015
Final
Presentation on Nationwide Transportation Funding
TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
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09:05 AM
Representative Max Tyler, Chair, called the committee to order. A quorum was present. A packet of materials was distributed to the committee (Attachment A), including: a Legislative Council Staff memo on regional transportation authorities; an Office of Legislative Legal Services memo on interim committee bill drafting guidelines; a bill draft request from Representative Diane Mitsch Bush on I-70 traction requirements, and two bill requests from Representative Terri Carver on the membership of the Transportation Commission, and advice provided by the Statewide Transportation Advisory Committee to the Transportation Commission.
15TLRC0930AttachA.pdf
09:07 AM -- Presentation on Nationwide Transportation Funding
Jim Reed, National Conference of State Legislatures, came to the table to present to the committee on nationwide transportation funding. A copy of his presentation was distributed to the committee (Attachment B). Mr. Reed said that nearly every state considered a transportation funding bill in 2015, with over 500 bills being introduced, as well as over 700 bills being considered by state legislatures in 2013 and 2014. Mr. Reed discussed the states that had increased gas taxes since 2013, or added a fee for electric and alternative fuel vehicles. He responded to a question on what the average gas tax is across the states.
15TLRC0930AttachB.pdf
Mr. Reed discussed the bond packages and other transportation financing legislation enacted by states in 2015, upcoming ballot measures across the states that are related to transportation funding, and states that have public-private partnerships (P3s) for transportation projects. Committee discussion ensued.
09:21 AM
Mr. Reed discussed the ways that P3s are usually authorized with tolling, how the value of the state gas tax has fallen since 1999, how motor fuel taxes now account for less of total state revenue, the states that increased their gas taxes in 2015, and how many states are currently searching for sustainable transportation funding options. He spoke to the various ways that most states fund surface transportation in the present day, and the bills that have been introduced in state legislatures since 2008 to implement a vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) fee. He responded to questions on the approach that Oregon is taking with its VMT fee, the approach that Connecticut has taken with bonding for transportation funding, and how states compare on taxes and fees in relation to transportation and motor vehicles.