HB 3362
Imposes an excise tax on retail sales of tires.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
14%
Oppose
86%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill proposes a new excise tax on the retail sale of tires in Oregon. The revenue generated from this tax will be directed to two funds: the Tire Pollution and Rail Transit Fund, which will support rail transit, tire pollution prevention, and mitigation efforts, and the Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reduction Fund, which will fund projects aimed at reducing wildlife collisions with vehicles. The Department of Revenue will collect and remit the tax, and the Department of Transportation will administer the related programs.
Key provisions
- An excise tax of four percent will be imposed on the retail price of taxable tires.
- Revenue will be split between the Tire Pollution and Rail Transit Fund (75%) and the Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reduction Fund (25%).
- The Department of Revenue will collect and remit the tax at the point of sale.
- The Department of Transportation will establish and administer programs related to rail transit, tire pollution, and wildlife collisions.
- The tax will take effect 91 days after the adjournment sine die of the 83rd Legislative Assembly.
- Deficiencies in tax payments will be handled through a process similar to income tax enforcement.
- The bill establishes two new funds: the Tire Pollution and Rail Transit Fund and the Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reduction Fund.
- The Department of Revenue will collect the tax and remit it to the appropriate funds.
Who is affected
- Retailers of tires
- Consumers purchasing tires
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 3362 advocate for a $4 tax on vehicle tire sales to fund public transportation, wildlife crossing projects, and conservation efforts. They emphasize the need to address environmental degradation, urban sprawl, and traffic congestion by investing in rail infrastructure. Many testifiers highlight the significant costs and human injuries caused by wildlife-vehicle collisions, citing the importance of building more crossings and increasing funding to mitigate these issues. The proposed tax on tires is seen as a necessary measure to acknowledge the environmental costs of tire use while ensuring long-term infrastructure funding. Supporters also express concern for the well-being of wildlife, particularly deer in Oregon, and support measures to reduce tire pollution, improve water quality, and protect fish populations. Overall, supporters believe that HB 3362 aligns with Oregonians' values and respect for wildlife, promoting a more sustainable and accessible transportation system.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the proposed legislation argue that a tax on tires would be regressive, unfairly burdening low-income households and small businesses. They claim that the funds generated from the tax would not be used efficiently to address transportation infrastructure needs and would instead divert resources away from road repair and improvement. Many concern that the tax would disproportionately affect rural residents who rely heavily on their vehicles for work and daily life, as well as individuals with fixed incomes. Some also argue that alternative solutions, such as reusing existing revenue or redirecting funds towards other transportation infrastructure projects, could achieve similar goals without the negative impact on lower-income families. Overall, opponents of the legislation emphasize the need to reduce consumer burden and promote economic growth through simpler, more efficient taxation policies.