[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 10, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 4371, DIESEL FUEL TAX LEGISLATION

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, last year when we passed the Omnibus 
Reconciliation Act of 1993, we adopted a fuel-dying scheme to ensure 
compliance with the new diesel fuel taxes on recreational vessels.
  On paper this requirement seemed rather simple. Recreational vessels 
would be required to purchase clear, taxed fuel and commercial vessels 
would be required to purchase dyed, tax-exempt fuel.
  Unfortunately, since the implementation of the dying scheme forces 
marina owners to sell two fuels, they must either buy a new fuel 
storage tank or sell only one fuel. Since most marinas cannot afford 
new tanks, they are losing business, and boaters across the country are 
having a hard time finding fuel.
  To resolve this problem, I, along with a number of my colleagues, am 
introducing legislation today, H.R. 4371, which would modify the 
collection of the new diesel fuel tax. Briefly, H.R. 4371 would allow 
any vessel--recreational or commercial--to purchase any color fuel. The 
marina owners would charge the tax at the pump instead of paying the 
tax at the wholesale level. This change gives boatowners and marinas 
the necessary flexibility to ensure that fuel will be available this 
summer.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure that the chairman of the Committee on Ways and 
Means probably came to the floor to hear me give this 1 minute on this 
fuel tax modification, and I really appreciate the chairman's 
solicitude for this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the distinguished 
Members who are introducing this bill with me, and help fix a problem 
which is creating havoc in the boating industry.

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