Transportation (Transportation Funding)

failed · Maine · House May 20, 2025

LD 622: An Act To Implement A Surcharge On Electric Vehicle Registration

This bill imposes a $250 annual surcharge on owners of electric vehicles (defined as fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles) in Maine. The fee must be paid yearly (or in two installments) when registering the vehicle. All collected funds are directed to the Highway Fund, which supports road maintenance and infrastructure projects. This requirement applies specifically to electric vehicle owners and does not affect other vehicle types.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes $250 annual surcharge on EV owners, disincentivizing adoption of clean energy vehicles, directly opposing renewable energy transition goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDirectly funds highway maintenance via EV surcharge, channeling $250 annual fees to Highway Fund for road infrastructure projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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failed · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2025

LD 1194: An Act To Phase Out Vehicle Excise Taxes And Implement A Fee For Infrastructure Funding Based On A Vehicle'S Annual Mileage

LD 1194 replaces Maine's current vehicle excise tax with a mileage-based fee starting July 1, 2027. It charges 1 cent per mile for regular vehicles (1.5 cents for heavy trucks) and a flat annual fee for electric/hybrid vehicles, while exempting those aged 65+ or in households earning under $40,000 annually for the first 10,000 miles. Revenue from this fee must fund road maintenance, bridge repairs, and infrastructure projects at levels matching previous excise tax funding. The Department of Transportation must create a digital reporting system for mileage tracking and report annually to the Legislature on implementation and funding impacts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill replaces excise tax with mileage fee while mandating infrastructure funding at prior levels, ensuring continued budget allocation for road maintenance and bridges.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates revenue from mileage fee fund road maintenance and infrastructure projects at previous funding levels, directly supporting transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Transportation Funding

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signed · Maine · House May 9, 2025

LD 154: An Act To Amend The Transportation Laws

LD 154 amends Maine's transportation funding laws to update payment rates for municipal road maintenance. It specifies $600 per year per lane mile for rural state aid roads and $300 for seasonal roads, while increasing urban compact area funding to $2,500 per lane mile for summer maintenance and $1,700 for winter maintenance. These changes directly affect municipalities, counties, and Indian reservations receiving Local Road Assistance Program funds. The bill ensures funds target rural road maintenance, urban compact area responsibilities, and capital improvements for specific road types. It does not alter overall funding levels but adjusts how existing funds are distributed based on road classification and location.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly increases and specifies funding rates for road maintenance (rural, urban, seasonal) under Transportation Laws, directly advancing infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

failed · Maine · House May 22, 2025

LD 1875: An Act To Create Equity In Maine'S Highway Funding By Imposing A Road Use Fee For Electric Vehicles

LD 1875 requires owners of electric vehicles (both battery electric and plug-in hybrid) in Maine to pay a road use fee based on annual mileage, starting January 1, 2026. The fee is calculated by multiplying the net miles driven (current year's mileage minus the prior year's) by 1.0 cents for battery electric vehicles or 0.5 cents for plug-in hybrids. Collected fees fund annual suspensions of the gasoline tax, with the number of suspension days determined by comparing the fund balance to gasoline tax revenue. Failure to pay the fee within 45 days results in suspension of the vehicle's registration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes mileage-based fee on EVs to replace lost gas tax revenue, maintaining highway funding without increasing general taxes, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill imposes road use fee on EVs to replace lost gasoline tax revenue, directly funding highway maintenance and infrastructure, aligning with transportation funding goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding

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failed · Maine · House May 22, 2025

LD 1809: An Act To Further Stabilize Highway Fund Revenue

This bill creates three new revenue streams for Maine's Highway Fund: a $1 surcharge on non-Maine-registered passenger vehicles using the turnpike, an annual $200 fee for battery electric vehicles and $100 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and a 50-cent delivery fee per delivery for online purchases of at least $100 in taxable goods. The surcharge will be collected by the Maine Turnpike Authority, vehicle fees by the state's vehicle registration system, and the delivery fee by sellers at the time of sale. All funds collected must be deposited into the Highway Fund, directly affecting non-resident drivers, electric vehicle owners, and online retailers selling qualifying goods.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new taxes (vehicle fees, delivery fee) to fund Highway Fund, directly increasing revenue for transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates new revenue streams (surcharge, EV fees, delivery fee) to stabilize Highway Fund for road infrastructure funding, directly advancing transportation funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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failed · Maine · Senate May 29, 2025

LD 1292: An Act To Codify The Maine Turnpike Authority'S Contributions To The Highway Fund With Regard To The Sensible Transportation Policy Act

LD 1292 codifies a requirement for the Maine Turnpike Authority to transfer excess funds to the Highway Fund on a quarterly basis. It specifies that any revenues or reserves held by the Authority exceeding its approved operating budget, maintenance reserves, debt service obligations, and legislatively approved capital projects must be sent to the Highway Fund. This directly affects the Authority’s financial management and the Highway Fund, which funds state transportation projects. The bill aligns with the Sensible Transportation Policy Act by directing excess turnpike revenues toward broader highway needs rather than remaining within the Authority’s reserves.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCodifies transfer of Turnpike Authority excess funds to Highway Fund, ensuring fiscal responsibility in transportation funding allocation per Highway Fund requirements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCodifies transfers of excess Turnpike Authority funds to Highway Fund, directly increasing funding for state transportation projects per Sensible Transportation Policy Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Transportation Funding

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failed · Maine · Senate Jun 3, 2025

LD 1549: Resolution, Proposing An Amendment To The Constitution Of Maine Regarding The Use And Oversight Of Transportation-Related Revenues

LD 1549 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring that, starting July 1, 2027, at least 60% of sales and use tax revenue from motor vehicle dealers and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles must be dedicated to transportation infrastructure. This revenue must be spent solely on costs related to all transportation modes - including highways, bridges, transit, rail, ferries, ports, trails, pedestrian paths, and bicycle facilities - without diversion to other purposes. The amendment also designates the Legislature's transportation committee as the sole body overseeing the Highway Fund's finances. If approved by voters in a November 2025 referendum, it would become part of Maine's Constitution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 60% of vehicle-related tax revenue for transportation infrastructure, preventing diversion to other uses per constitutional amendment.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates 60% of motor vehicle tax revenue for transportation infrastructure, explicitly directing funds to highways, transit, and all transportation modes without diversion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Transportation Funding

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failed · Maine · Senate Mar 25, 2026

LD 1804: An Act Concerning Funding And Oversight Of Transportation Matters

LD 1804 establishes a joint standing committee on transportation to oversee all Highway Fund allocations, including subdivisions and transfers, requiring it to review financial orders and meet monthly. It mandates the State Budget Officer to adjust Highway Fund funding levels every two years starting in 2030-31 based on the Consumer Price Index. The bill also amends the Department of Transportation’s authority to develop rules for transportation infrastructure and administration. These changes directly affect the committee, the Department of Transportation, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the State Budget Officer.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates CPI-based Highway Fund adjustments and monthly oversight, promoting fiscal responsibility in transportation budgeting.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes committee for Highway Fund oversight, mandates CPI-adjusted funding increases, and amends DOT authority to strengthen infrastructure management.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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failed · Maine · Senate Apr 17, 2025

LD 367: An Act To Authorize General Fund Bond Issues To Improve Highways, Bridges And Nonhighway Modes Of Transportation

This bill authorizes Maine to issue up to $100 million in state bonds for transportation improvements, requiring voter approval in a November 2025 referendum. The funds would be allocated specifically: $85 million for highway and bridge repairs, and $15 million for nonhighway transportation modes like public transit or bike paths. The bonds must be repaid within 10 years, and any unspent funds after project completion would retire existing state debt. This proposal directly affects Maine taxpayers through bond financing and the state’s transportation infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes bonds for transportation spending with fiscal responsibility (10-year repayment, debt retirement), aligning with budget management and public service funding.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes $100M in bonds for highway/bridge repairs ($85M) and nonhighway transit ($15M), directly funding transportation infrastructure improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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