On Wednesday, February 1 the House Ways and Means committee will hold a public hearing on a bill to create a road usage fee.

The bill, HB 621, would add a fee to annual car registration, based on the miles per gallon of the vehicle, ranging from $0 to $77.08. Cars that do not use any fuel would pay $123.33. 

A road usage fee is intended to make up for lower gas tax revenue from hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Those vehicles are responsible for just as much wear and tear on roads, and arguably are not paying their fair share for road maintenance.

The Department of Transportation estimates the fee would raise about $11 million per year for construction and repair of state roads and bridges.

Opponents of HB 621 argue that unless the state also lowers the gas tax, the road usage fee is a burdensome tax on residents.

Other opponents argue that alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles provide other benefits to the state, such as cleaner air, and therefore an additional fee is unfair.

Do you support a road usage fee? Share your opinion in the comments.