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House approves expanded vehicle tax incentives with retained credit for natural-gas vehicles
Summary
Lawmakers passed House Bill 106 to broaden vehicle tax incentives to reward performance-based emissions and energy savings, with a sponsor-supported amendment preserving a $3,000 credit for new natural-gas vehicles; the bill was referred to the Senate.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House approved House Bill 106, which broadens the state's vehicle tax incentive program to be fuel- and technology-neutral and ties incentives to performance metrics for reduced emissions and energy savings.
Representative Rosalind McGhee, sponsor, said the bill replaces an incentive program that previously applied primarily to natural gas, propane and electric vehicles and excludes biofuels and other advanced technologies. HB106 establishes a credit or rebate (described as a $1,000 performance-based benefit for qualifying vehicles for first use or conversions) and includes technical revisions such as repeal of a special fuel tax and an effective date of Jan. 1, 2009.
McGhee told the House she would accept a Senate amendment that would retain a $3,000 tax credit for new natural-gas vehicles; she asked members to support sending the bill forward so the Senate can consider that amendment. Representatives asked technical questions about the bill's mileage (MPG) thresholds and why ethanol-fueled vehicles were assigned a lower miles-per-gallon standard, and McGhee said vehicle standards in the bill align with federal efficiency metrics and that some differences reflect rapidly evolving technology.
Representative Barris and others urged continued attention to used alternative-fuel vehicles and fraud concerns; the sponsor said the bill limits credits to first use to reduce potential fraud.
After questions and waived summation, the House voted to pass HB106 and refer it to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: The bill will be considered in the Senate, where a sponsor-noted amendment preserving a higher credit for new natural-gas vehicles is expected to be considered.
