DFA explains driver services, motor vehicle administration and tax rules to House Transportation Committee

Charlie Collins, Arkansas revenue commissioner in the Department of Finance and Administration, briefed the committee on DFA programs that intersect with transportation policy, including driver services, motor vehicle registration and tax administration.

Collins said DFA oversees taxes broadly and operates state revenue offices where Arkansans register vehicles and renew credentials. He introduced the leaders who manage driver services and motor vehicle functions: Wayne Hamrick (leader of the Driver Services/Motor Vehicles business unit), Christy Earnhardt (driver services manager) and Marla McCuse (motor vehicle manager). Collins urged members to pass constituent inquiries through his office and said DFA staff will follow up and notify legislators once issues are resolved.

Collins also discussed sales-tax consequences for vehicle purchases and transfers, stressing that Arkansas collects sales tax when a vehicle is registered in the state. He gave an example in which a member of his family discovered rules that prevent claiming a sales-tax credit on the same vehicle twice. “If you pay sales tax to another state when you purchase a vehicle, you're going to pay it when you come to Arkansas,” Collins said, noting Arkansas has no reciprocal arrangement that offsets taxes paid to other states.

Paul Gehring, assistant revenue commissioner and chief legal counsel representatives were also introduced; Gehring encouraged legislators to contact DFA staff about fiscal impact statements and legal questions relating to bills affecting driver services and motor vehicle administration.