Budget Amendment ID: FY2014-S3-507-R2

2nd Redraft TRP 507

Establishment of a Road Usage Charge/Mileage-Based User Fee Pilot Program by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Mr. Kennedy moved that the proposed new text be amended amended by inserting after section 139 the following section:-

“SECTION 139A.  (a) The Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall develop a plan for a pilot program to evaluate a mileage-based user fee or road usage charge, which is based upon or derived  from the number of miles traveled by a motor vehicle. The planned pilot program shall include up to 1,000 persons to test 1 or more of the proposed methods for determining a mileage-based user fee or road usage charge.

(b) A program shall: (1) test the reliability, ease of use, cost and public acceptance of new technologies; (2) test methods for determining or estimating the number of miles traveled; (3) establish a mileage-based user fee or road usage charge; (4) recommend protections for the data collected and reported under the pilot program; (5) recommend appropriate and effective protections to ensure drivers’ privacy; (6) run for at least 12 months; and (7) include a plan for variable pricing based upon the environmental impact of a vehicle as deemed appropriate by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

(c) The Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall file the plan, which shall include, but not be limited to: the feasibility of permanently assessing a vehicle mileage-based user fee or road usage charge as an alternative to the gas tax; an evaluation of the impacts of such a fee on the economy; an evaluation of the impact on the environment and traffic congestion; a comparison to other alternatives or supplements to the gas tax, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, not later than 30 months from the effective date of this act.”