TRENTON, NJ – Assemblyman Parker Space, representing the 24th District of Morris, Sussex, and Warren, has introduced legislation aimed at prohibiting the imposition of mileage-based user fees on motor vehicles within New Jersey. The bill, introduced in the 220th Legislature on June 5, 2023, seeks to ensure that vehicle owners and operators are not charged fees based on the distance traveled within a specific time frame.
The proposed legislation defines a “mileage-based user fee” as any charge levied against a motor vehicle’s owner or operator, calculated on the mileage covered by the vehicle over a designated period. Under this bill, the State of New Jersey would be barred from introducing such fees, marking a significant stance against a pay-per-mile taxation model.
Furthermore, the bill mandates that no state funds be allocated for the development, research, or pilot testing of programs related to the implementation of mileage-based user fees. This includes the prohibition of funding for studies aimed at exploring the feasibility or impact of such fees within the state.
This legislative move comes amidst broader discussions on transportation funding and the exploration of alternative revenue models to traditional gas taxes, which have been impacted by the increasing fuel efficiency of vehicles and the rise of electric vehicle usage. The bill, if enacted, would position New Jersey firmly against the adoption of mileage-based fees as a method for generating transportation infrastructure funds.
The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage, signaling a swift intent to preclude any efforts towards the establishment of mileage-based user fees in New Jersey.