Idaho lawmakers passed a 7 cents-per-gallon state gas tax increase and raised vehicle registration fees in a last-minute push to generate new transportation funding for the state’s roads and bridges.
The compromise reached by a conference committee was approved by the Senate with a vote of 26-9 just before midnight on March 10, and subsequently approved 51-19 by the House. The total package is anticipated to generate approximately $95 million per year, including $63.2 million from the state gas tax increase and $26.8 million from the increased vehicle registration fees.
House Bill 312 is the fifth legislatively-approved state gas tax increase in 2015. Iowa, South Dakota and Utah have already signed into law bills to raise their state gas tax for transportation funding. Georgia’s legislature has also approved a state gas tax increase, which is awaiting approval from Governor Nathan Deal (R) before going into effect.
HB 312 now goes before Governor Butch Otter (R) for review.