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HB 5096

AN ACT ELIMINATING THE HIGHWAY USE TAX.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gale Mastrofrancesco

HB 5096 eliminates Connecticut's Highway Use Tax, removing dedicated transportation funding without specifying replacement revenue sources for road maintenance and infrastructure projects.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
#highways #salesandusetax
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Bill Summary · HB 5096

Legislative bill overview

HB 5096 proposes to eliminate Connecticut's Highway Use Tax, a tax currently levied on motor vehicle fuel and/or vehicle registration. This would represent a significant reduction in state transportation revenue, requiring alternative funding mechanisms or budget adjustments to maintain existing highway infrastructure and maintenance programs.

Why is this important

Connecticut's Highway Use Tax generates substantial annual revenue dedicated to road maintenance, repair, and transportation infrastructure projects. Eliminating it would create a funding gap that could affect road conditions, bridge repairs, and transportation spending unless replaced by other revenue sources or redirected from the general budget.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue replacement: The bill provides no alternative funding mechanism, raising questions about how Connecticut would maintain its transportation infrastructure without this dedicated revenue stream
  • Regressive impact: Highway use taxes are often criticized as regressive, but eliminating them without replacing revenue could shift costs to other taxpayers or reduce services that benefit lower-income commuters
  • Infrastructure consequences: Depending on the size of the tax, elimination could result in deferred maintenance, reduced road quality, or delayed transportation projects unless general funds are reallocated

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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