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HB 5058

AN ACT ELIMINATING THE HIGHWAY USE TAX.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Seth Bronko and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut bill HB 5058 eliminates the state's Highway Use Tax, removing a dedicated transportation funding source without specifying replacement revenue or addressing infrastructure maintenance impacts.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
#highways #salesandusetax
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Bill Summary · HB 5058

Legislative bill overview

HB 5058 proposes to eliminate Connecticut's Highway Use Tax, a tax levied on motor vehicle fuel and other highway-related consumption. The bill would remove this dedicated revenue source that currently funds transportation infrastructure and maintenance across the state.

Why is this important

The Highway Use Tax generates significant annual revenue for Connecticut's transportation budget—removing it would create a substantial fiscal gap that would need to be addressed through alternative funding, budget cuts, or other revenue sources. This directly affects road maintenance, bridge repairs, public transit funding, and other infrastructure projects that depend on these dedicated revenues.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue replacement: Eliminating the tax without identifying alternative funding sources could force cuts to transportation projects or require shifting costs to general taxpayers or other programs
  • Infrastructure maintenance backlog: Connecticut already has documented infrastructure maintenance needs; reduced funding could exacerbate existing road and bridge conditions
  • Fairness and burden-shifting: Removing a user-based tax (paid by those who use highways) could shift costs to non-drivers or require broader tax increases that affect different populations
  • Interstate competitiveness: Tax elimination could incentivize fuel purchases in Connecticut but may also reduce available funds for improvements that make roads more competitive for commerce and tourism

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

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