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Special session package HB 3991 provides ODOT temporary operating funds and modernizes truck taxation and RUC policy
Summary
ODOT briefed the Commission on HB 3991—an emergency package that restores agency operations in 2025–27, increases local allocations, creates a mandatory road‑usage charge for high‑efficiency vehicles, and modernizes heavy‑vehicle taxation and enforcement — while noting major implementation and IT needs.
ODOT staff summarized the special session transportation package known as HB 3991 and its near‑term and structural impacts.
The bill increases vehicle registration and title fees, raises the gas tax by 6¢ starting Dec. 31 and enlarges local government shares (50% to cities/counties in the new split). Director Chris Strickler and Deputy Travis Brower said the measure provides immediate relief to avoid layoffs and restore maintenance capacity while noting the money is constrained to operations in the 2025–27 biennium.
HB 3991 also establishes a mandatory road‑usage charge (RUC) program phased in for EVs and highly efficient vehicles (initial RUC at ~2.3¢/mile), and moves to a hybrid heavy‑truck tax model: trucks will pay a diesel tax at the rack plus a reduced weight‑mile tax beginning 07/01/2029. Carla Phelps noted the law simplifies weight‑mile rates, requires full IFTA participation and adds dyed‑fuel enforcement. Staff warned the administration work will be sizable — modernizing legacy IT systems, hiring, and creating enforcement processes — and said many operational improvements (recruiting, winter staffing, DMV Service levels) will take months to resume.
Why it matters: HB 3991 stabilizes ODOT operations short‑term and creates major revenue and policy changes with multi‑year IT and enforcement implications (RUC roll‑out, diesel taxation at the rack, IFTA compliance). ODOT will track implementation and report on milestones to the Commission and legislature.
