State House GOP Forces Public Hearing On New CT Highway Use Tax

CONNECTICUT — State House Republicans have called for eliminating the highway use fee on heavy trucks that was passed in 2021 and went into effect on Jan. 1.

GOP legislators petitioned to raise H.B. 5290, An Act Eliminating the Highway Use Tax, after the Finance Committee's Democratic leadership refused to hear it. On Tuesday, Republicans secured the required 51 petition signatures to force a public hearing on the bill.

The tax applies to large commercial trucks carrying a classification between Class 8 and Class 13. The new fees range from 2.5 cents per mile for trucks weighing 26,000 to 28,000 pounds, up to 17.5 cents per mile for vehicles weighing more than 80,000 pounds.

"Many members of the General Assembly proposed this legislation on behalf of their constituents, and the committee's failure to raise the bill meant a large swath of Connecticut residents would be silenced," said Rep. Holly Cheeseman (R-37), House Ranking Member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. "That's unacceptable given the far-reaching, negative impact this tax will have on the cost of living here, and I'm thrilled my caucus colleagues joined me in petitioning to deliver a public hearing that will give everyone an opportunity to be heard on the most important issue we face—affordability."

Targeted truck owners are required to obtain a permit to remit payments to the state, and it's expected to generate $90 million in annual revenue.

Previous Chair of the Finance Committee then-Rep. Scanlon said last March the fee was designed to collect revenue from the trucks that cause the most damage to Connecticut roads. He said it costs about $125 for a heavy truck to cross the George Washington Bridge in New York, but most truckers would only pay 25 cents to travel through Connecticut.

The move comes just days before the first payment is due, on Feb. 28.