HOUSE BILL NO. 156 An Act increasing the motor fuel tax and repealing the special tax rates on blended fuels; and providing for an effective date. Co-Chair Williams noted that it was not his intention to move HB 156 from Committee at this meeting. WILLIAM CORBUS, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, stated that under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, HB 93 would increase the State's highway motor fuel tax rate from 8 cents a gallon to 20 cents a gallon and repeal the special rate for gasohol. Commissioner Corbus noted that in order for Alaska's economy to grow and diversify, the State must expand and improve the transportation infrastructure. Alaska must adequately fund highway construction and maintenance activities. Currently, Alaska spends nearly $50 million per year in general fund dollars to match the Federal Highway Capital Program and nearly $60 million dollars per year on maintenance. At the current eight cents per gallon, Alaska's highway motor fuel tax rate is now the lowest in the nation. Even after the proposed increase, thirty-eight states would have higher rates, and Alaska's fuel tax would be at the 20-cent national average. Had the tax rate been indexed for inflation when it was initiated in 1961, it would be nearly two and a half times the rate proposed in the bill. Commissioner Corbus pointed out that under existing law, revenue from the motor fuel tax used on roads and highways is deposited in a highway fuel tax account in the general fund. That fund is available for maintenance and construction of highway projects and ferries. HB 156 would delete AS 43.40.010(a)(4) and AS 43.40.010(b)(4), which provide a special tax rate for blended fuel. Working with industry and private citizens, Alaska no longer requires the use of oxygenated fuels to meet air quality standards. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that the State be able to rapidly re-impose a requirement for the use of oxy fuels should the air quality deteriorate. The proposal represents a user- pays approach to expanding and improving the transportation infrastructure. Representative Foster pointed out that since the revenue would be used for improvements of the roads and highways, would the village areas be exempt from the motor fuel tax since there are no roads in those areas. Commissioner Corbus advised that Department of Transportation & Public Facilities would need to respond to that concern. Co-Chair Harris observed that there are a number of modes of transportation throughout the State such as the Alaska Marine Highway system and the associated truckers, which an increase in fuel tax would hit hard. He asked about the "fairness" of the proposal. Commissioner Corbus could not responded to those issues. Vice-Chair Meyer inquired if it were possible that the proposed legislation could hurt the State's economy. He noted that the trucking industry currently works on a "thin" margin. Commissioner Corbus acknowledged that the proposed legislation would create an increased cost in doing business for the transportation industry. However, he added that the consequences of not addressing the current fiscal concerns are more serious than those costs. Vice-Chair Meyer asked if the cars now using natural gas would be exempt. Commissioner Corbus did not know. Representative Hawker pointed out the Governor's opposition to the House Transportation version of the bill. He asked what specific changes were needed to warrant support. Commissioner Corbus explained that version does not create the immediate revenues needed by the State. The transportation version would create no revenue for FY04 and only a small amount for FY05. He reiterated concerns regarding the cash flow. Representative Moses asked if the Administration would support an increase to sixteen cents a gallon, giving eight cents per gallon back to the municipalities to maintain their roads. Commissioner Corbus responded that the Administration's position is that the State needs enhanced revenues and lower expenditures. If the State can determine a way to hold the deficit at a point outlined by the Governor, then the Administration will be receptive to changes. Co-Chair Harris asked if Commissioner Corbus was referring to the section of the bill which would not take effect unless a Constitutional amendment was added addressing a dedicated fund. Commissioner Corbus acknowledged that was correct. Co-Chair Harris questioned if the Department had considered an increase to the marine fuel tax as a revenue source for assuming the small boat harbors. Commissioner Corbus noted the emphasis behind HB 156, attempts to pay for highway maintenance costs. He added that the fuel tax for marine vessels would be a different consideration. Co-Chair Harris clarified that the emphasis of the Administration is to place some money into highway maintenance, replacing general funds in that category with other funds. In that situation, it would be a tax increase and a decrease on the amount of the draw to the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR). Commissioner Corbus agreed. Representative Joule understood that the Administration does not support HB 156 being tied to another constitutional dedicated fund amendment. He asked if the Administration would support dedicated funds outside of the bill. Commissioner Corbus replied that he did not know the Administration's position regarding that concern. He offered to find out and get back to Committee members. ROBYNN WILSON, TAX AUDITOR, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, responded to the question from Representative Foster about the exemption of the village areas from the tax. She clarified that for off-road use, the user would be entitled to a refund. Under present law, the off-road user is entitled to six cents of the eight cents per gallon; under the proposed legislation, the user would be entitled to a discounted price per gallon. Representative Joule asked about the eligibility process for the rebate, collecting receipts throughout the year. He inquired the rebate amount expected to be received for the twenty-cent gas tax. Ms. Wilson explained that the purchaser would have to collect their receipts and submit them as often as was convenient for them throughout the year. They could file once a month or yearly; there is no statutory requirement regarding how often they must file as long as it is that same one-year period. The proposed version of the bill offers a refund of eighteen cents per twenty cents paid. The net effect will be the same as the amount currently being paid by the user. Representative Joule asked if the age and/or type of the vehicle would matter if they were classified as off road vehicles. Ms. Wilson responded that the age or type of the vehicle does not matter except that the vehicle must be licensed to not be used on public ways. She added that in some of the more remote areas, no requirement exists that the vehicle be licensed and that absolutely, the off-road refund would be granted. Representative Joule questioned if many people had pursued getting reimbursement on the tax paid. Ms. Wilson replied that the claims are somewhat "spotty". She added, it is difficult to quantify because the user can accumulate receipts for extended periods of time before sending them in. She did not have specific information. Co-Chair Williams requested further information regarding sharing of tax revenue among the municipalities. JOHN MACKINNON, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES, pointed out that idea had been suggested by the Alaska Municipal League (AML), which he thought would be a policy call of the House and Senate. Mr. MacKinnon did not believe that the Administration would support the idea. Since 1991, when the legislation was passed on a national level, there were federal highway funds to be used on municipal roads, an ability granted to Puerto Rico and Alaska. No other state in the Union was allowed that option. In 1991, when the program first started, there was $200 thousand dollars put into the federal highway fund, federal gas tax for the municipal roads. In 2002, the amount was over $72 million dollars. Mr. MacKinnon emphasized that there has been a significant increase of federal money put into municipal roads. Representative Croft inquired about the refund for those Alaskans living rurally. Ms. Wilson explained that there is a form available on the Department's web site; otherwise, the Department can mail out the forms upon request. She pointed out the five cents per gallon marine tax. Representative Croft understood that the federal highway money was to be used for construction not maintenance. Mr. MacKinnon explained that was technically correct, however, in practice that is not the way it happens. There is a fine line between what is construction and what are maintenance costs. Some State programs use federal construction monies. Co-Chair Harris questioned the "fairness" of the proposed legislation to the Alaska Marine Highway system and the trucking industry. Mr. MacKinnon did not believe that the tax would apply to the marine highway, as he did not think that the State could tax a State entity and that the legislation does exempt State and federal agencies from paying. Mr. MacKinnon understood that there was an amendment that would apply to the Alaska Railroad. Co-Chair Harris asked if the Administration was contemplating an increase to the marine fuel tax in order to help communities take over the maintenance and operations of the boat harbors. Mr. MacKinnon advised that at present, the Administration is not looking at that. The Administration is considering the longstanding program of boat harbors, rebuilding and bringing them up to standard and then transferring the maintenance and operations to the municipalities. Representative Stoltze noted that he had questions for the Department of Education & Early Development regarding pupil transportation. He commented that the legislation would add costs to that concern. Representative Stoltze requested that the Department of Education & Early Development be present at the next meeting. Vice-Chair Meyer understood that the Department of Education & Early Development would be exempt from the legislation. Representative Stoltze pointed out the number of private contractors involved with pupil transportation moving. Vice-Chair Meyer asked if natural gas burning fuel would be exempt. Mr. MacKinnon believed it would be exempt. He offered to get back to the Committee regarding that concern. Ms. Wilson added that there is currently an exemption in the motor fuel tax law, which exempts liquefied petroleum gas. Representative Foster commented that the general fund portion of the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities budget last year was $97 million dollars. He asked how much would the eight cents per gallon raise. Mr. MacKinnon understood that it would raise approximately $28 million dollars. Representative Stoltze inquired if there was a concept for "kicking" back to the municipalities and how it would be determined. Ms. Wilson explained that the manner in which current statute is written, the tax is collected at the wholesale level. There would be no recording of where the fuel was sold retail. If there is municipal sharing, there would need to be some sort of recording requirement from the distributors. KEVIN RITCHIE, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, JUNEAU, stated that in the Alaska Municipal League (AML) policy statement, AML supports an increase in motor vehicle registration fees and motor vehicle fuel taxes as long as: · Fuel tax and vehicle registration fees are used to fund State and municipal highway road operation, maintenance, and improvements; and · The motor vehicle fuel tax and vehicle registration fees are shared on an equitable basis between local and State government based on the proportion of local vs. State maintained roads. Representative Joule reiterated his concern for the smaller village communities, which are already paying a high price for gas. Mr. Ritchie acknowledged that there are many people that do not support a gas tax and that AML would like to work with them. One of the advantages of a gas tax over a sales tax is that percentage tax penalizes commodities in different parts of the State. One of the advantages of a gas tax, is that it is more equitable. Representative Croft introduced Amendment #1, #23- GH1118\H.1, Kurtz, 4/14/03. (Copy on File). Representative Croft stated that the amendment would help to address concerns voiced by Mr. Ritchie. The amendment would clarify that if revenue sharing is fully funded, then the entire amount of the tax could be collected. If less is send to municipalities, the amount that can be collected would decrease. Representative Joule spoke to Amendment #2, #23-GH1118\H.2, Kurtz, 4/14/03. (Copy on File). Representative Joule noted that the amendment would exempt rural areas not connected to the main road system from being taxed. Representative Joule questioned if HB 156 had received a referral to the Ways and Means Committee for discussion and inclusion in the statewide fiscal plan. Co-Chair Williams noted that at this time, it had not received that referral. Co-Chair Williams stated that HB 156 would be HELD in Committee for further consideration.