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S 1925

Requires continuous work until completion for the design, construction, maintenance, or renovation of any transit facility, transportation facility, or equipment of the metropolitan transportation authority

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and 3 co-sponsors

MassDOT would levy an annual mileage-based charge on electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to fund road maintenance, starting 2027, based on in-state miles.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · S 1925

Summary — S.1925 (An Act imposing an in‑state mileage‑based road usage charge on the use of clean energy vehicles)

Purpose

S.1925 would create an in‑state mileage‑based road usage charge (MBRUC) on “electric vehicles” and other vehicles that do not rely primarily on internal combustion engines, to recover roadway use revenue from vehicles that pay little or no gasoline tax. The stated goal is to collect road‑use charges from clean energy vehicles and credit those revenues to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund.

Key provisions

  • Defines “electric vehicle” to mean battery electric vehicles (zero‑emission) and plug‑in hybrid electric vehicles with an on‑board rechargeable electrical energy storage device. Excludes golf carts, electric bicycles and other micromobility devices. (Text: new §14 added to Chapter 64A.)
  • Effective date for the charge: beginning January 1, 2027.
  • Charge basis and timing:
    • The MBRUC is assessed in addition to all other fees and taxes.
    • The charge is paid each year following the vehicle’s most recent inspection.
    • Miles traveled will be calculated as the difference between the two most recent odometer readings as recorded on the vehicle inspection certification (pursuant to section 7A of Chapter 90).
  • Administration and regulations:
    • The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is directed to promulgate regulations to (a) establish the method for calculating the charge (rate mechanism not specified in the bill text), (b) set up collection mechanisms, and (c) establish penalties and interest for delinquent charges.
    • MassDOT must also set a method for owners to document miles driven outside Massachusetts; absent approved proof, MassDOT will assume reported miles were driven in‑state.
  • Exemptions: Vehicles that qualify for exemptions under section 1 of Chapter 60A are exempt from this MBRUC.
  • Revenue allocation: All sums collected are credited to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund.

Who would be affected

  • Primary impact: owners of battery electric and plug‑in hybrid vehicles registered in Massachusetts (except those exempt under Chapter 60A).
  • Indirect impacts: state transportation revenue streams, vehicle registration/inspection offices, and entities administering exemptions or enforcement.

Fiscal and administrative considerations / potential impacts

  • Creates a new, ongoing revenue source for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund intended to offset declines in gasoline‑tax revenue as EV adoption grows.
  • Rate and revenues are unspecified in the bill; actual fiscal impact depends on regulations MassDOT adopts and compliance levels.
  • Administrative costs and implementation complexity (inspection‑based odometer tracking, out‑of‑state mileage verification, billing, enforcement) would fall to MassDOT and possibly RMV or inspection stations.
  • Potential privacy concerns and public pushback could arise depending on collection mechanisms (though the bill relies on odometer readings recorded at routine inspections rather than telematics).
  • Policy tradeoffs include equity of charging EV drivers for road use versus preserving incentives for vehicle electrification.

Procedural status and timeline (as recorded)

  • Filed / presented: Senate Docket No. 2227 — filed January 17, 2025; presented by Michael J. Barrett.
  • Introduced in Senate: June 2, 2025 (read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance).
  • Hearing scheduled: July 15, 2025 (10:00 AM–1:00 PM, A‑1).
  • Other recorded actions include referrals to Transportation and Revenue committees (dates noted in bill record).
  • If enacted, charges would begin January 1, 2027; detailed implementation timing will depend on MassDOT rulemaking.

Notes

  • The bill text does not set a per‑mile rate or specify billing procedures; those elements are left to MassDOT regulations.
  • Exemptions and interplay with existing vehicle tax/fee structures are defined only by reference to Chapter 60A and Chapter 90 inspection records.

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

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