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Senate trims EV bill’s rebate provision, sponsor says change avoids inadvertent lower tax than truck rate
Summary
Senator Rothus moved and the Senate adopted a second‑reading amendment to House Bill 145 removing an alternative‑fuel rebate that, according to chamber discussion, could have reduced EV taxes below an equivalent truck tax; sponsor cited revenue estimates and administrative concerns.
Senator Rothus moved a second‑reading amendment to House Bill 145 that deletes a rebate provision tied to alternative‑fuel charging, saying the change resolves concerns that the rebate would drive EV tax liabilities below equivalent truck taxes.
Floor discussion focused on how the change alters expected revenue and administrative burden. Senator Rothus cited an estimate from the Wyoming fuel tax manager using three months of level‑three charging data, which he said annualizes to roughly $62,000 for one provider and about $120,000 when combined with other providers; he also said level‑two meter collections were minimal in the sample (about $945 over three months). Senators said they would consider additional third‑reading amendments to align EV taxes with commercial truck equivalents.
The Senate adopted the amendment by voice vote and ordered House Bill 145 to third reading.
Why it matters: The amendment removes a rebate mechanism that sponsors feared would create a tax gap between electric passenger vehicles and trucks; the floor debate included preliminary revenue estimates and potential next steps.
Next steps: House Bill 145, as amended, returns for third reading and possible further refinement.
