From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama gas tax bill is on the way to Governor Kay Ivey for a signature after legislators passed the measure in a special session.
The final passage came Tuesday from the Senate in a vote 28-6. Among the six opposing the bill were five Republicans and one Democrat. The Republicans were Sen. Shay Shelnutt (District 17), Sen. Dan Roberts (District 15), Sen. Jim McClendon (District 11), Sen. Larry Stutts (District 6) and Sen. Will Barfoot (District 25). The one Democrat was Vivian Figures (District 33).
The bill, which proponents say would generate about $320 million a year dedicated to infrastructure improvements, would increase the gas tax by 6 cents this year, 2 cents in 2020 and 2 cents in 2021.
The legislation puts a $200-a-year fee on electric vehicles and a $125-a-year fee on plug-in hybrid vehicles. Last year, there were 1,170 electric vehicles in the state, according to the Alabama Department of Revenue. Part of the fees would be dedicated to electric vehicle infrastructure around the state.
The bill dedicates about $11.7 million a year in gas tax revenue to improvements and expansions at the Port of Mobile. The state money would be used to match federal dollars.
Under House Bill 2, the gas tax increase bill, municipalities would receive an additional $26 million, bringing their total to $48.7 million. Counties would receive an additional $80 million, bringing their total to $256.4 million.