An Act To Keep Maine's Transportation Infrastructure Safe by Providing More Sources of Revenue for the Highway Fund
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §501, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2015, c. 206, §4, is further amended to read:
As used in this subsection, "hybrid vehicle" means a motor vehicle that uses 2 or more distinct types of power for purposes of propulsion.
As used in this subsection, "electric vehicle" means a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion.
An automobile or sport utility vehicle used for the conveyance of passengers or property is a "combination" vehicle and may be issued a special plate with the word "combination" instead of "Vacationland." A passenger vehicle used under contract with the State, a municipality or a school district to transport students must be designated as "combination." A vehicle owned or operated by parents or legal guardians is exempt from this subsection.
Commercial plates may not be issued for or displayed on an automobile.
A sport utility vehicle may be registered either as an automobile or a truck. A sport utility vehicle with a gross vehicle weight or combined gross vehicle weight in excess of 10,000 pounds and used in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise must be registered as a truck according to its actual gross weight as provided in section 504.
The gross weight of a pickup truck registered as provided by this subsection may not exceed 10,000 pounds. An owner of a pickup truck who operates the pickup truck with a gross weight in excess of 10,000 pounds or the pickup truck drawing a semitrailer with a combined gross weight in excess of 10,000 pounds must register the truck as provided in section 504.
A combination of vehicles consisting of a motor vehicle and a camp trailer is not required to be registered for the gross weight of the combination.
Beginning July 1, 2009, $10 of the fee must be transferred on a quarterly basis by the Treasurer of State to the TransCap Trust Fund established by Title 30-A, section 6006-G.
Sec. 2. 36 MRSA §1489, as amended by PL 1985, c. 459, Pt. C, §12, is further amended to read:
§ 1489. Crediting and apportionment of tax received
SUMMARY
This bill identifies 3 revenue sources to increase funding to the Highway Fund for transportation infrastructure.
This bill:
1. Imposes an annual registration fee of $250 on hybrid vehicles and $350 on electric vehicles instead of the annual $35 fee imposed on other passenger vehicles;
2. Requires municipalities to spend revenue they collect from excise taxes on transportation projects within their municipality; and
3. Diverts from municipalities to the Highway Fund the excise tax collected on trucks and truck tractors that haul trailers.