Panel advances measure tied to sales-tax changes after debate over mileage-fee study; members cite privacy and political concerns

The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee moved Substitute for Senate Bill 1447 to the floor after discussion over sales-and-use tax revenue implications and a contested mileage-based user-fee study provision.

Madam Chair noted the committee’s review was limited to the sales-and-use tax revenue gains in the bill. Senator Fazio and others said they opposed the mileage-fee study language and that resurrecting a study could pave the way to implementing a mileage tax. “I’m also very concerned about the mileage based user fee study, being the camel’s nose under a tent about, about implementing a new mileage fee in Connecticut,” Fazio said. Another member said past senate action had barred taxpayer-funded studies of a mileage fee and that reopening the topic would alarm constituents over privacy and cost concerns.

After brief discussion focused on fiscal effects, the administrator called the roll; the committee approved the bill to the floor. Several members recorded no votes based on opposition to the mileage-study language rather than the sales-tax fiscal item itself.

Why it matters: The committee’s limited fiscal review centered on projected sales-and-use tax revenue. However, members warned that including a mileage-fee study in legislation could re-open a politically sensitive and technically complex policy debate involving privacy and cost concerns.

What’s next: The bill was advanced to the floor for further consideration. If the mileage-study language remains, floor debate is likely to involve privacy, enforcement and statutory limits on studies.