Legislation has been introduced in the House to create a Highway Trust Fund Commission to examine alternatives to the motor fuel tax as a revenue source to support the Highway Trust Fund over the next 30 years.
The bill, H.R. 3494, was introduced by Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.) in November. The creation of a National Commission on Future Revenue Sources to Support the Highway Trust Fund is included is included in the Senate SAFETEA reauthorization proposal, but is not in the House TEA-LU bill. Beauprez's legislation has been referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and to the House Ways and Means Committee.
In a letter to colleagues, Beauprez noted that 90% of the revenue flowing to the Highway Trust Fund comes from motor fuel excise taxes. He stated, "We are all well aware that the demand for funding of transportation projects exceeds our revenue capabilities. Unless we take action early and are prepared, as alternative fuels become increasingly more commonplace for transportation, our nation will face a curious paradox. We will enjoy the environmental benefits and a reduced reliance on fossil fuels, but also experience a reduction in funds to the HTF. We need to have a transitional revenue mechanism in place to assure future adequacy of the funding of our nation's transportation infrastructure."
