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May 18, 2021
In this Research & Commentary, Samantha Fillmore examines a House Bill in Massachusetts that would allow for cities and towns to opt into a local excise tax on fuel.
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering levying additional gas taxes on the local level with House Bill 3039. If passed, the bill would allow any city or town to impose a local excise tax on the sale of fuel and special fuels to retail dealers. This would be in addition to the state’s current 24-cent-per-gallon tax on fuel.
According to HB 3039, any city or town that imposes this local excise tax shall first establish a Municipal Fuel Excise Transportation and Stormwater Fund prior to levying the additional excise tax. This fund would be divided into three spending areas. The first being for the purposes of maintenance, upkeep, and construction of roads, bridges, sidewalks, and public parking areas, or roadside drainage. The second being for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or regional transportation authority serving the city or town. The third being for projects that promote and improve non-single occupancy motor vehicle transportation, such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, as well as carpool programs.