North Dakota lawmakers are considering a fuels tax hike to help pay for improvements to roads and bridges.
The House Finance and Taxation Committee on Monday voted 9-5 to endorse House Bill 1464, which would result in a tax increase of 6 cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel sold in North Dakota. The panel of lawmakers amended the original proposal, which sought a 4 cent increase.
The amended bill also would require electric and hybrid vehicle drivers to pay a road use fee more than double the existing level. The measure next moves to the full House for consideration.
"I don't think anybody sitting here enjoys the need to raise any tax, but what are we to do?" said Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, who chairs the committee. "We have roads that are crumbling and we haven't had an increase in 16 years."