Senate panel approves higher oversize/overweight permit fees; DOT estimates about $15 million in revenue

The Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee advanced House Bill 3443, which raises oversize and overweight permit fees that have not been adjusted since 2008. Vice Chair Fricks, the bill author in committee, said the increase aims to have permit fees help pay for weigh stations and reduce the annual draw on the roads fund.

Senator Pew asked whether a revolving fund was created last year to fund weigh-station improvements and how much the proposed fee increase would generate. Mitch Serrat, Deputy General Counsel for the Department of Transportation, told the committee: "The Rose Fund is where the money was coming from. It's not a new revolving fund." Serrat estimated the fee increases "will be about $15,000,000 assuming we have the same number of permits requested, next year."

Committee debate was waived and the clerk called the roll. The committee recorded 9 ayes and 1 nay; the chair declared the bill advanced.

Why it matters: DOT officials told the committee the additional permit revenue is intended to cover weigh-station costs and free more of the roads fund for roads and bridges. The Trucking Association worked with the bill author and, according to the author, is comfortable with the change.

Next steps: House Bill 3443 advanced out of committee and will proceed to further consideration in the Senate.