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HJ 449

Hybrid and electric trucks; Department of Transportation to study options for taxation.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Austin

Virginia HJ449 directs VDOT to study taxing hybrid/electric trucks to replace lost gas/diesel revenue, examining tolls, fees, or other charges; report by 2026 to Governor/GA.

Left in Rules
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Bill Summary · HJ 449

Summary of House Joint Resolution 449 (HJ 449)

Overview

HJ 449 is a Virginia House Joint Resolution introduced January 13, 2025, and currently left in Rules. The measure requests the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to study options for taxing hybrid and electric trucks to address anticipated revenue shortfalls as gas and diesel tax revenues decline and as trucking traffic continues to grow.

  • Introduced: January 13, 2025
  • Prefiled: January 7, 2025
  • Patron: Delegate Austin
  • Referred to: Rules (House committee)
  • Status: Left in Rules (as of February 4, 2025)

Purpose and intent

  • Primary objective: Assess and propose options for taxing hybrid and electric trucks to offset reduced gas/diesel tax collections that fund transportation initiatives in Virginia.
  • Rationale highlighted in the resolution: Vehicle miles traveled are increasing, gasoline/diesel consumption is decreasing, and heavier hybrid/electric trucks may generate less revenue per mile under traditional fuel taxes while still causing highway wear and tear.

Key provisions and requirements

  • Directs the Virginia Department of Transportation to study:
    • (i) The current and future impact of hybrid and electric trucks on gas tax collections in Virginia.
    • (ii) The adoption rate of hybrid and electric trucks in the Commonwealth.
    • (iii) Various methods to tax these vehicles to compensate for lost transportation revenue, including tolls, registration fees, or other mechanisms.
  • Definition reference: For purposes of the study, “truck” has the same meaning as defined in § 46.2-100 of the Virginia Code.
  • Interagency cooperation: All agencies of the Commonwealth are required to provide assistance to VDOT upon request.

Timeline and reporting

  • MD/Timeline: The Department shall complete its meetings by September 30, 2025.
  • Reporting: VDOT must submit an executive summary and a full report of findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly. The document should be published as a House or Senate document and filed with the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
  • Final publication deadline: No later than the first day of the 2026 Regular Session of the General Assembly; website posting by the General Assembly.

Affected parties and potential impact

  • Primary affected entity: Virginia Department of Transportation, with possible guidance to other state agencies.
  • Transportation funding impact: Could influence future funding mechanisms for highways and transportation infrastructure if adopted, by proposing alternative or supplemental revenue sources (e.g., tolls, higher registration fees, or other charges) tied to hybrid/electric trucks.
  • Industry impact: Trucking operators and fleets, especially those using hybrid or electric vehicles, may be subject to new or adjusted fees or tolls if such options are adopted following the study.

Notable procedural context

  • The resolution is a non-binding investigative measure intended to inform future legislative or regulatory action.
  • If the General Assembly approves recommendations, they could lead to new legislation in a subsequent session.

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

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