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Senate approves phased gasoline-tax increase to fund bridge and maintenance work
Summary
The Utah Senate approved a second substitute to Senate Bill 160 that raises the gasoline tax 5¢ immediately and by 1¢ in each of the next four years (a total 9¢ increase), with smaller, phased increases for diesel and other fuels. Sponsors said the revenue will help pay for bridge replacements and maintenance; the measure passed on a roll call.
The Utah Senate on March 9 passed a second substitute to Senate Bill 160 that restructures fuel taxes and raises the gasoline tax by 5¢ per gallon immediately, followed by 1¢ annual increases for four years, totaling a 9¢ increase at the end of the five-year schedule. Senator Van Tassel, sponsor of the substitute, said the change is designed to generate revenue for near-term transportation needs.
"We're looking for a 5¢ increase in the gasoline tax effective this year, and in each of the following 4 years, there'll be a 1¢ increment increase, making a total of 9¢ at the end of 5 years," Van Tassel said on the floor, adding the funds will help as the state faces bridge replacements and ongoing maintenance.
The substitute also adjusts diesel tax treatment (smaller, incremental increases) and increases certain fees and caps tied to parks and recreation funding, according to the sponsor's floor explanation. Proponents framed the bill as a time-limited response to infrastructure funding needs; Van Tassel described the approach as a five-year window intended to address pressing bridge and maintenance projects.
Questions from the floor were limited; after debate the Senate ordered a roll call. The secretary announced the result as 20 ayes, 5 nays and 4 absent. The bill passed and will be transmitted to the House for further consideration.
The Senate's action replaces the prior substitute with the second substitute now before the House. The Senate record does not include detailed legislative fiscal estimates in the floor explanation; proponents said the change would put more revenue into the transportation program to address near-term capital and maintenance obligations.
The next step is House consideration of the second substitute to SB 160; if the House approves the measure it will move forward per the Legislature's normal concurrence and enrollment procedures.
