Highways, Roads and Bridges

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide details about the exact nature of the 'decrease in revenue from fuel-efficient vehicles' beyond electric and hybrid vehicles, so this was narrowed accordingly.

Transportation Funding Study

This bill requires TACIR to conduct a study on alternative measures for funding transportation infrastructure and submit recommendations by January 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

• Requires TACIR to conduct a study on alternative measures to the additional registration fee imposed on electric vehicles to replace or supplement decreases in transportation infrastructure funding due to fuel efficiency improvements.
• TACIR must provide recommendations regarding user fee alternatives and their benefits and challenges, including successful programs from other states.
• All appropriate state departments and agencies shall assist TACIR with the study.

Who It Names or Affects

• Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR)
• State departments and agencies that must assist TACIR with the study
• Legislators who will receive TACIR's findings and recommendations

Terms To Know

TACIR

The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, a state agency that studies issues related to intergovernmental relations.

Transportation user fee alternatives

Different ways to collect money from people who use transportation systems, such as tolls or special vehicle fees.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the recommendations will be used.
• It is unclear what specific changes might come after TACIR's report.

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 523
By Atchley

SENATE BILL 549
By Briggs

SB0549
000742
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 9; Title 54; Title 55 and Title 67, relative to
transportation funding.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1.
(a) The Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR)
shall conduct a study and prepare a report on recommendations regarding alternative
measures to the additional registration fee imposed on all-electric vehicles, hybrid
electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles pursuant to Tennessee Code
Annotated, Section 55-4-116, to replace or supplement the decreases in transportation
infrastructure funding due to vehicles becoming more fuel efficient or using no fuel.
(b) The study and report must:
(1) Provide transportation user fee alternatives;
(2) Identify the benefits and challenges of various transportation user fee
options; and
(3) Survey alternative user fee programs successfully implemented over
the past ten (10) years by at least three (3) other states.
(c) All appropriate state departments and agencies shall provide assistance to
TACIR in connection with the study required by subsection (a).
(d) On or before January 1, 2026, TACIR shall report its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation, regarding transportation user fee
alternatives to the chair of the committee in the house of representatives with jurisdiction

- 2 - 000742

over transportation issues, the chair of the transportation and safety committee of the
senate, and the legislative librarian.
(e) It is the legislative intent that this study must be conducted from TACIR's
existing resources.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.