Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Study Transportation Funding Reform

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This resolve is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This resolve proposes to establish a commission composed of Legislators, transportation professionals or other parties to study transportation funding reforms that will promote equity and sustainability and that will yield the predictable funding levels needed to support a safe and reliable highway and bridge system that supports economic opportunity.

Study topics may include, but are not limited to, a review of the funding levels necessary to achieve the capital goals set forth in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 73, subsection 7, paragraphs A to D including anticipated shortfalls, a 10-year capital funding plan to meet those goals, mechanisms to address the erosion of Highway Fund receipts and the rising inequity among drivers caused by higher automobile fuel efficiency, methods to more equitably share the costs of the highway system between residents and visitors from outside the State, rolling back baseline fuel tax rates and adding a wholesale tax component and the use of a portion of sales tax receipts from transportation-related sales for transportation needs.

The commission shall submit a report of its findings, including suggested legislation, if any, to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation by December 15, 2015, which in turn may submit a bill for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature relating to the subject matter of the report.