Latest news with #AssemblyBill530
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Broad coalition backs extending gas tax indexing in Clark County
Terrible's, the regional gas station chain, did not participate in the hearing for AB530 but is running opposition ads on their digital billboards. (Photo: April Corbin Girnus/Nevada Current) Clark County's decade-long practice of adjusting gas tax for inflation should continue for another decade before being subject to reapproval by voters, a broad coalition believes. Fuel revenue indexing — often referred to as FRI — adjusts the county's portion of fuel tax to inflation and has been a major source of funding for roadway projects in Southern Nevada since going into effect in 2014. FRI is currently scheduled to sunset at the end of 2026 unless voters approve an extension next year. RTC foresees future revenue shortfall if gas tax indexing allowed to expire For years, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) has warned that ending fuel revenue indexing will decrease roadway funding by two thirds — from $300 million to $100 million annually. A funding shortage that severe would result in canceled projects and the inability to keep up with roadway maintenance, according to RTC CEO M.J. Maynard-Carey. RTC's solution to the problem is Assembly Bill 530, which would allow the Clark County Commission, by a two-thirds vote, to extend FRI an additional decade beyond its current sunset date. Continuation beyond 2036 would require voter approval. Gas Tax in Clark County Federal: 0.184 State: 0.23 County: 0.10 FRI: 0.23 Other: 0.014 TOTAL: $0.758 per gallon, as of April 1 The Nevada State Legislature and then-Gov. Brian Sandoval first gave Clark County the authorization to use fuel revenue indexing in 2013. The Clark County Commission approved FRI for 2014 through 2016. In November 2016, Clark County voters extended FRI through 2026. That ballot measure passed with nearly 60% support. RTC currently receives 24.6 cents of the total 75.8 cents per gallon fuel tax, according to Maynard-Carey. Warren Hardy, chair of the RTC's Transportation Resource Advocacy Committee (TRAC), said the committee has 'looked at every aspect' of funding over several years and determined that 'FRI is the cornerstone.' 'If we are not able to extend FRI, we can fold our tent and go home on a whole bunch of issues related to transportation in Southern Nevada,' he said. 'I've said it's existential, and I stand by that.' TRAC Vice Chair Danny Thompson called AB530 'the most important bill to Southern Nevada this session.' More than $1 billion has been generated through FRI since 2014, according to Maynard-Carey. The money has supported 702 projects — 501 completed, 105 in construction, and 96 in the design phase. The loss of FRI would be compounded by increases in fuel efficiency and the adoption of electric vehicles, which already result in fewer taxable gallons of fuel being sold, added Maynard-Carey. More than 30 groups threw their support behind the bill during its hearing Thursday in the Assembly Committee on Growth & Infrastructure. Among them: Clark County and its five cities, multiple skilled trades unions, multiple building and construction industry groups, two universities (UNLV and Nevada State), two chambers of commerce (Urban and Vegas), Southwest Gas, and the Nevada Resort Association. 'Fuel tax is the best, most efficient way to collect those dollars that pay for our roads,' said Paul Enos, a lobbyist for the Nevada Trucking Association, which supports the bill. Just five groups opposed AB530, mostly on the grounds that the county commission should not be able to circumvent voters and that taxes are already too high. 'This takes away the right of the people,' said Janine Hansen of Nevada Families for Freedom and the Independent American Party. 'They were promised 10 years ago they would be able to vote on this. … Are we afraid of a vote by the people? Do we believe in democracy?' That same criticism was lobbed against a 2023 FRI bill that passed the Legislature with bipartisan support only to be vetoed by Gov. Joe Lombardo. That bill would have allowed the Clark County Commission to extend FRI indefinitely without a direct vote of the people. (That bill would have aligned Clark with Washoe County, which also indexes their fuel tax to inflation but has no sunset clause. Nevada's other counties do not index their fuel tax.) 'The arguments in favor of fuel revenue indexing are compelling, but a decision on this issue, which impacts household budgets every day, is most appropriately rendered by the voters,' Lombardo wrote in his 2023 veto message. Democratic Assemblymember Howard Watts, a sponsor of both FRI bills, said AB530's requirement to put the issue in front of Clark County voters in 2036 is meant to address such criticism. 'A final vote of the people has been maintained,' he said. 'We do respect the will of the people while also wanting to make sure that we can continue to provide this critical source of revenue for transportation infrastructure in our state.' Lombardo's office did not respond to the Current's request for comment on AB530.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bill to extend gas tax program moves through Nevada legislature
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A bill moving through the Nevada Legislature would address gas taxes, allowing a potential extension of the current fuel revenue indexing program before it goes back to the ballot in 2026. Fuel revenue indexing, which has been in place in Clark County since 2016, adjusts the gas tax rate to go up every year with inflation. About $1.11 per gallon goes to taxes. Approximately 23 cents goes to the state, 18.4 cents goes to the federal government and Clark County gets around 70 cents. Voters passed the 10 year program in 2016. Assembly Bill 530 would allow Clark County Commissioners to extend it with a two-thirds majority vote before it goes back to the ballot in 2026. This comes as gas prices see another hike in Southern Nevada. The average price per gallon in Las Vegas was recorded at $3.99 Thursday. That is a 20-cent jump from last week, according to AAA Nevada. This is connected to a normal shift to summer gas blends, industry experts said. However, some drivers told 8 News Now they worry it will continue to rise. 'I think prices are just going to keep going higher,' driver Nelson Borges said. 'No matter what.' AB530, which is sponsored by the Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure, had a hearing Thursday. 'This has been a priority for leaders,' Democratic Assemblymember Howard Watts said during its proposal. 'Throughout the Southern Nevada community.' Assemblymember Howard and others backing the proposal said it is important to keep FRI going to fund road projects and create new jobs. Among those presenting the bill were representatives of the Regional Transportation Commission. They cited fuel revenue indexing as the main funding for 702 roadway projects, 20,400 jobs, and more than 78 small businesses in Southern Nevada. However, those who testified against AB530 believed the decision to extend the program should ultimately be up to voters. 'Are we afraid of a vote by the people? Do we believe in democracy?' Jenine Hansen of Nevada State Families for Freedom said. 'I think it's very important we have a vote from the people.' Drivers in Southern Nevada told 8 News Now while it's not ideal, they understand some price changes moving forward and will do their best to handle whatever happens. 'I would love cheaper gas prices,' Borges said. 'I just don't know if we can actually sustain that.' If AB530 does not pass the decision would go to Clark County voters on the ballot in 2026; the current FRI program expires on Dec. 31 of that year. A similar bill moved through the legislature in 2023, but Republican Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed it, saying the decision should go to voters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
