State lawmakers introduced over 200 transportation funding bills in 35 states since the start of the 2023 legislative session, according to ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center. These legislative proposals have the potential to generate millions in recurring and one-time revenue to support transportation infrastructure projects across the country. Among the highlights:

Eight pieces of legislation have already been signed into law, including:

– A general fund appropriation in Montana to provide federal match requirements and new electric vehicle registration fees;
– A tax on the sale of electricity at public electric vehicle charging stations in Utah;
– Transportation funding bonds in Montana and Ohio; and
– Tennessee legislation to transfer $3.3 billion from the general fund to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Several other bills await final approval from their governors, including:
– A combined $2.8 billion in general fund revenue and bonds for the I-70 project in Missouri;
– New taxes at electric vehicle charging stations in Montana and Georgia; and
– A new electric vehicle fee in Texas.

Follow the ARTBA-TIAC State Legislation dashboard to track these bills as they move through the legislative process.

Introduced Legislation:

Forty-nine percent (102 bills) propose one-time funding using bonds, excess federal COVID relief, or larger-than-expected budget surpluses.
– Most of the one-time funding measures (75) are in Minnesota, where individual projects are submitted in hopes they will be included in a larger bonding package later this year.

Electric vehicle fees, including registration fees and charging station fees, comprise 16 percent (34 measures).
– Of these, one has already been signed into law and three have been approved by legislative chambers and are pending final approval from the governor.

Recurring revenue, such as registration fees and sales taxes, make up 11 percent (23 bills).

Other proposals include local funding, road usage charges, and motor fuel tax increases.
– In Hawaii, legislation to implement a road usage charge for electric vehicles has reached compromise in conference committee and awaits final approval from the legislature.

While these numbers will likely grow throughout the year, most states have reached introduction and crossover deadlines. The number of new bills will slow while progress is made on existing measures.