I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3311 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 23, 2009 Mr. Blumenauer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a pilot program to study alternatives to the current system of taxing motor vehicle fuels, including systems based on the number of miles traveled by each vehicle.

1.

Road user fee pilot project; technology research program

(a)

Road User Fee Pilot Project

(1)

In general

The Secretary of the Treasury shall establish a pilot program under this subsection to study alternatives to the current system of taxing motor vehicle fuels. Such program shall be known as the Road User Fee Pilot Project. (2)

Mileage based program

The Road User Fee Pilot Project shall study technology and methods for recording and reporting the number of miles traveled by particular vehicles, including— (A)the manner in which a Federal system would receive payments with respect to the number of miles traveled by such vehicles, and (B)integration of such technology and methods with State and local revenue systems and demand management systems. (3)

Evaluation of methods and technologies

Technologies and methods tested under the Road User Fee Pilot Project shall be evaluated on the basis of— (A)protection of personal privacy, (B)ease of compliance, (C)public acceptance, (D)geographic and income equity, (E)integration with State and local transportation revenue mechanisms (including demand management systems), (F)administrative, cost, and enforcement issues, and (G)potential for fraud and evasion. (4)

Geographic diversity

The programs carried out under the Road User Fee Pilot Project shall be conducted in each State and shall be conducted in areas that are diverse geographically and in vehicle density. (b)

Establishment of working groups

The Secretary shall coordinate with the following agencies to coordinate the creation of three working groups and integrate their findings into the final report required under subsection (d): (1)

Technology working group

In coordination with the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Secretary shall convene a working group to study appropriate technology platforms and standards to facilitate the most effective revenue systems. (2)

Transportation system working group

In coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary shall convene a working group to evaluate the costs of collection and administration. (3)

Environmental working group

In coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary shall convene a working group to study the potential to manage demand and to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. (c)

Technology research program

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall establish a grant program to aid the development of on-board technologies necessary for a miles based program described in subsection (a)(2). (2)

Entities eligible for grants

The following entities shall be eligible for grants for grants under paragraph (1): (A)Institutions of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (B)Commercial manufacturers with an established record of passenger vehicle innovation. (C)Technology manufacturers with an established record of wireless networking and communications. (d)

Report

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a written report to the Congress, providing initial findings from activities authorized by this section. Not later than 36 months after such date, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a written report detailing final findings and conclusions from the activities authorized by this section. (e)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Treasury— (1)to carry out this section (other than subsection (c)), $150,000,000, to remain available until expended, and (2)to carry out subsection (c), $4,500,000, to remain available until expended.