California lawmakers are considering a proposal to keep studying whether the state should replace its gas tax with a mileage-based fee, as gas tax revenues decline due to the rise of electric and fuel-efficient vehicles. The move comes as the state Assembly recently advanced Assembly Bill 1421, which would extend the work of an advisory committee originally set up in 2014 to explore a road usage charge system.
The proposal is not without controversy. Some Republican lawmakers argue that studying a mileage tax is a step toward imposing a new financial burden on residents, especially those with long commutes or who live in rural areas.
John Kobylt slammed the proposal, while noting the poor road conditions in California compared to neighboring states like Nevada and Arizona.