Lawmakers in 24 states introduced nearly 100 transportation funding measures in January, according to analysis by ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center® (ARTBA-TIAC).

A bill in Maine to establish a transportation funding commission, with a report due to the legislature by March, has already been approved and signed into law by the Gov. Janet Mills (D).

An Arizona bridge funding bill and an Idaho sales tax increase for transportation have each advanced from their chamber of origin.

The remaining bills are still in the early stages of the legislative review process. Dozens more bills are expected to be introduced as the year progresses.

In addition to these legislative measures, Michigan will issue $3.5 billion in bonds to add and expand 122 major state road projects. The plan was approved by the State Transportation Commission and did not require a legislative vote.

States are exploring a multitude of funding options:

  • Eight states have proposed 13 bills (9 states, 8 bills? Sounds wrong?) to raise or adjust their motor fuel taxes. Five of those states have proposed converting to or adjusting an existing variable-rate motor fuel tax formula.
  • Thirteen non-fuel tax recurring revenue bills (vehicle registration fees, license fees, severance taxes, among other mechanisms) have been introduced in nine states.
  • Six states have proposed 34 bills to utilize one-time funding such as bonds or appropriations to provide transportation revenue. Twenty-seven of those bills are in Arizona alone.
  • Building on a trend from previous years, five states introduced six bills to implement a fee on electric vehicles. Twenty-eight states now have an electric vehicle fee.
  • Several states are also considering other innovative funding solutions, including mileage-based user fee studies or pilot programs.

Read the report.