FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 16, 2017
Time Requested: 03:40 PM
Agency: Tax & Revenue Department, WV State
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1178 Introduced HB2304
CBD Subject: Taxation


FUND(S):

State Road Fund

Sources of Revenue:

Other Fund State Road Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The stated purpose of this bill is to require a refund of gasoline or fuel excise tax when fuel is consumed by a commercial vehicle while that vehicle is not operated upon the highways of this state. Should this bill be amended to accomplish its stated purpose, passage of this bill would exempt off-road fuel use from the 5 percent Wholesale Fuel Sales and Use Tax in any vehicle operated to provide a service or carry goods for charge or other consideration, or directly or indirectly in connection with any business, or other undertaking intended for profit. Exempt fuel use would include fuel used in aircraft, railroads, barges, and possibly other types of machinery that might be categorized as a “vehicle.” Amendment of this bill to reflect its stated purpose would result in a reduction in the State Road Fund of at least $5 million per year and a reduction in the State Aeronautics Commission Special Revenue Fund of roughly $1 million per year under the assumption that the definition of commercial vehicle would be restricted to aircraft, railroads and barges. A broader definition of the term “vehicle” would result in a greater revenue loss to the State Road Fund. At current rates, total off-road Motor Fuel Excise Tax collections from all sources are estimated to be roughly $67 million in FY 2018. No costs were estimated as this code section was repealed in 2004.  



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2017
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2018
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


Should this bill be amended to accomplish its stated purpose, passage of this bill would exempt off-road fuel use from the 5 percent Wholesale Fuel Sales and Use Tax in any vehicle operated to provide a service or carry goods for charge or other consideration, or directly or indirectly in connection with any business, or other undertaking intended for profit. Exempt fuel use would include fuel used in aircraft, railroads, barges, and possibly other types of machinery that might be categorized as a “vehicle.” Amendment of this bill to reflect its stated purpose would result in a reduction in the State Road Fund of at least $5 million per year and a reduction in the State Aeronautics Commission Special Revenue Fund of roughly $1 million per year under the assumption that the definition of commercial vehicle would be restricted to aircraft, railroads and barges. A broader definition of the term “vehicle” would result in a greater revenue loss to the State Road Fund. At current rates, total off-road Motor Fuel Excise Tax collections from all sources are estimated to be roughly $67 million in FY 2018. No costs were estimated as this code section was repealed in 2004.



Memorandum


The stated purpose of this bill is to require a refund of gasoline or fuel excise tax when fuel is consumed by a commercial vehicle while that vehicle is not operated upon the highways of this state. The proposed bill references an Act that was repealed January 1, 2004 (see West Virginia Code §11-14-31).



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Mark Muchow
    Email Address: kerri.r.petry@wv.gov