The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Transportation
BILL: CS/SB 28
INTRODUCER: Transportation Committee and Senator Hooper
SUBJECT: License Taxes
DATE: December 7, 2023 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Johnson Vickers TR Fav/CS
2. AP
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 28 imposes specified additional license taxes on certain electric vehicles. The bill defines
the terms “electric motorcycle,” “plug-in hybrid electric motorcycle,” and “plug-in hybrid
electric vehicle and modifies the definition of the term “electric vehicle.”” The bill imposes taxes
on such vehicles in addition to registration fees currently assessed against non-electric vehicles
and authorizes biennial registration of such vehicles. The additional taxes imposed apply to an
initial or renewal registration that has a renewal period beginning on or after October 1, 2024.
The bill provides for distribution of the proceeds of such fees to the State Transportation Trust
Fund (STTF) and to the county where such a vehicle is registered, and requires the Department
of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to transfer funds allocated to a county to the
Department of Revenue (DOR) for distribution, as specified. The bill restricts local government
use of transferred proceeds to transportation expenditures, as defined in current law; exempts
certain electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles from the additional tax; and provides that the
additional fees expire on June 30, 2034. The bill also makes necessary conforming revisions.
The Revenue Estimating Conference determined on November 3, 2023, that the bill would
increase receipts to the STTF and to county and municipal governments for Fiscal Years 2024-25
through 2028-29 by a total of $65 million recurring. DHSMV expects to incur expenses
associated with programming and implementation. See the “Fiscal Impact” heading for
additional details.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2024.
BILL: CS/SB 28 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
The Impact of Electric Vehicles on Revenues
Annual fuel tax revenues at both the state and federal levels are directly based on the number of
gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel consumed. Because some electric vehicles (EVs) are not
powered by gasoline or diesel, and because others use less gasoline or diesel fuel than a
conventional vehicle with only an internal combustion engine, an increase in the number of EVs
operating on the roadways results in less revenue being raised from fuel taxes for comparable
vehicle miles traveled.
Projections for EV sales vary, but a literature review suggests a general consensus that while EV
adoption will not significantly impact state revenues in the near-term, EV sales will continue to
increase over the long-term, at least to some extent supported by federal, state, local, and utility
incentives for EV purchases.1 The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT’s) EV
Infrastructure Master Plan, completed in July of 2021, concludes that negative impacts to
motor-fuel based revenue streams in Florida could range between 5.6 percent and 20 percent by
the year 2040, depending on the rate of growth of EV sales.2
The National Perspective
Traditional funding for repairs and improvements to the nation’s highways comes primarily from
state and federal taxes collected at the pump. A perceived inequity may exist, in that electric
vehicles do not require motor fuel to operate, or at least as much in the case of vehicles that
operate on a combination of electricity and gasoline or diesel, compared to motor vehicles with
internal combustion engines. The assertion is that EV owners may not be fairly contributing to
the cost of constructing and maintaining public roads through payment of “traditional”
registration fees.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), many states face declining
gas tax revenues, and “one common policy” to address the decline is to impose a separate
registration fee for certain EVs to address the issues of declining revenues and fair contribution.3
The following may serve to generally highlight the trend:
 Thirty-two states impose some form of a special registration fee for electric vehicles, which
is in addition to the registration fee for motor vehicles with internal combustion engines.
 Of those, 19 states also assess a fee on plug-in vehicles that operate on a combination of
electricity and gasoline. The fees range from $65 in Iowa to $100 in Alabama, Arkansas,
Ohio, and West Virginia.
1
For a description of the Inflation Reduction Act’s 2022 re-vamped tax credit of up to $7,500 for certain all-electric and
plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, see Vincent, J. and Threewitt, C., available at How Does the Electric Car Tax Credit Work? |
U.S. News (usnews.com). For a compilation of available incentives offered by states, local governments, and utilities, see
Wakefield, C., September 1, 2023, available at Electric Car Rebates and Incentives: What To Know by State - Kelley Blue
Book (kbb.com) (last visited October 13, 2023).
2
See the FDOT’s EV Infrastructure Master Plan, p. 30 of 52, available at fdotevmp.pdf (windows.net) (last visited October
12, 2023).
3
See ncsl.org, Special Fees on Plug-In Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (ncsl.org) (last visited October 12, 2023).
BILL: CS/SB 28 Page 3
 Ten states4 enacted laws in 2019 amending or adding new fees for plug-in electric and some
plug-in hybrid vehicles, with fees ranging from $50 per year in Colorado, South Dakota, and
Hawaii, to $225 for a plug-in electric vehicle in Washington.
 The enacted legislation in Alabama, Arkansas, Ohio, and Wyoming set or increased fees for
EVs to $200 annually. In 2021, South Dakota law was revised to impose a fee of $50 for all
EVs, and Oklahoma tiered its EV fees based on vehicle weight. Louisiana enacted legislation
in 2022 imposing a $110 fee for EVs and a $60 fee for plug-in hybrids.5
 At least five states tie the additional registration fees to the consumer price index or another
inflation-related metric and periodically increase the fees (California, Indiana, Michigan,
Mississippi, and Utah).6
Although the exact number of states that impose additional registration fees on electric and plug-
in hybrid electric motorcycles is not readily available, a brief search revealed at least three states,
Washington, Iowa, and Minnesota,7 that do so.
Revenue from these additional registration fees is, according to the NCSL, most often directed to
a state transportation trust fund as a fair contribution to the cost of constructing and maintaining
the public roads, with a few states also allocating some of the revenue to support EV charging
infrastructure and small amounts to other uses.8
Types of Electric Vehicles
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center uses the term, “electric-drive
vehicles,” to collectively refer to all-electric vehicles (AEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs),
and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
 AEVs use a battery to store the electric energy that powers the motor. AEVs do not have an
internal combustion engine and are solely powered by electricity. AEV batteries are usually
charged by plugging the vehicle into an electric power source.
 PHEVs are powered by an internal combustion engine that can run on conventional or
alternative fuel and an electric motor that uses energy stored in a battery, and are plugged
into an electric power source to charge the battery. PHEVs can travel various distances on
electricity alone but can also operate solely on motor fuel.
4
Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Ohio, Washing and Wyoming.
5
Supra note 4. Scroll down to the “State Action” heading. The definitions, fees, and fee distributions for each state are
reflected under the heading States With Fees on Plug-In and/or Electric Vehicles.
6
At least two states have alternatively enacted road user charges (Oregon and Utah), also known as vehicle miles traveled
fees or mileage based user fees and, according to the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC), as of May, 2022,
three states (Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oklahoma) had enacted excise taxes on the electricity that powers electric vehicles. See
the TIAC’s Electric Vehicle Excise Tax Model Language, Appendix B, available at
2022_Electric_Vehicle_Excise_Tax_Model_Language-2.pdf (transportationinvestment.org) (last visited October 12, 2023).
Further, at least 10 states have enacted studies or pilot programs examining the feasibility of road user charges, supported by
the federal Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives grant program. Supra note 3. Scroll down to the “Road User
Charges” heading.
7
Thirty dollars annually in Washington, RCW 46.17.323: Electric vehicle registration renewal fees—Electric motorcycles.;
$9 annually in Iowa, HF767.pdf (iowa.gov); and $10 annually in Minnesota for all-electric motorcycles, sf1086(hf2250)_1
electric surcharges.pdf (state.mn.us) (last visited December, 4, 2023).
8
Supra note 4. Scroll down to the “State Action” heading.
BILL: CS/SB 28 Page 4
 HEVs are primarily powered by an internal combustion engine that runs on conventional or
alternative fuel and an electric motor that uses energy stored in a battery. An HEV battery is
charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine and is not
plugged in to charge.9
State definitions are not always consistent with the above definitions and contain some variation.
\
Florida’s Registration Structure and Electric Vehicles
Florida’s definition of the term “motor vehicle” for registration purposes is quite broad and
includes motorcycles along with other vehicles.10 All vehicles meeting the definition, with some
exceptions, are required to be registered in this state.11 Current law imposes an initial registration
fee (a license tax) of $225 on automobiles and tri-vehicles for private use, certain trucks, and
motor homes and truck campers.12 Thereafter, registration is generally based on the class and
weight of the vehicle. The fees range generally from $5 for a moped to $1,322 for heavy trucks
or truck tractors and wreckers.13
After monthly distributions for education purposes, for completion of the interstate highway
system, and for the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program, the
remaining proceeds from registration fees are deposited in the STTF.14
Current law defines the term “electric vehicle” for registration purposes as a motor vehicle that is
powered by an electric motor that draws current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, or
other sources of electrical current.15 The license tax for an EV is the same as that prescribed in
law for a vehicle that is not electrically powered.16
Thus, Florida law currently makes no distinction between the types of EVs in its definition, as
all-electric and hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in or regenerative, are in fact powered, in whole or
in part, by an electric motor that draws current from rechargeable storage batteries or other
sources of electrical current. The definition does not require that an electric vehicle be solely
powered as described. Additionally, Florida law does not charge a fee in addition to the
registration fee for a “traditional” vehicle as some 32 other states do, for registration of electric
vehicles, nor does the state impose an additional registration fee on electric or plug-in hybrid
electric motorcycles.
9
See U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electric Vehicles (energy.gov) (last visited October 13,
2023).
10
Section 320.01(1), F.S. Section 320.01(26), F.S., defines the term “motorcycle” to mean any motor vehicle having a seat or
saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. The term
includes an autocycle, as defined in s. 316.003, F S., but excludes a tractor, a moped, or any vehicle in which the operator is
enclosed by a cabin unless it meets the requirements set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a
motorcycle.
11
Section 320.02, F.S.
12
Section 320.072, F.S.
13
Section 320.08, F.S.
14
Section 320.20, F.S.
15
Section 320.01(36), F.S.
16
Section 320.08001, F.S.
BILL: CS/SB 28 Page 5
Credits or Refunds and Delinquent Fees
Section 320.08056(8), F.S., provides for the discontinuance of specialty license plates, and
provides that once a specialty license plate has been discontinued, a vehicle owner or lessee issue
such plate may keep the plate for the remainder of the 10-year license plate replacement period.
Section 320.15(2), F.S., provides that a motor vehicle registrant or mobile home owner who has
renewed a motor vehicle registration during the advance renewal period17 and who surrenders the
license plate for the vehicle before the end of the renewal period may apply for a refund of the
license taxes assessed in s. 320.08, F.S.
Biennial Registration
Currently, any person who owns a specified vehicle18 that is required to be registered19 may
renew the registration biennially during the applicable renewal period upon payment of the two-
year cumulative total; i.e., double the amount of the applicable annual license tax (as well as the
service charge and surcharge).20
Local Option Fuel Taxes
County governments are authorized to levy up to 12 cents of local option fuel taxes in three
separate levies on fuel sold within the county.21 Relevant for purposes of the bill is a tax of one
to six cents on every net gallon of motor and diesel fuel sold within a county. 22 Generally, this
tax is levied by ordinance adopted by a majority vote of the governing body or upon approval by
referendum.23 Revenues from the tax are remitted to the Department of Revenue (DOR) by the
licensed terminal supplier who owned the fuel immediately prior to removal from storage24 and
transferred to the Local Option Fuel Tax Trust Fund.25
DOR distributes the tax proceeds monthly26 according to distribution factors determined at the
local level by interlocal agreement between the county and municipalities within the county’s
boundaries. If no such agreement is established, a local government’s distribution is generally
based on the transportation expenditures of that local government for the immediately preceding
five fiscal years as a proportion of the sum total of such expenditures for the respective county
17
The advance renewal period is pursuant to s. 320.071, F.S.
18
Generally, motorcycles and mopeds; automobiles or tri-vehicles for private use; light-duty trucks and heavy duty trucks
and truck tractors of a certain weight; motor vehicles for hire; trailers for private use; trailers for hire; recreational vehicle-
type units; park trailers, travel trailers, and fifth-wheel trailers of a certain length; and mobile homes. Infra note 18.
19
Sections 320.08(1)-(3), (4)(a) or (b), and (6) – (11), F.S.
20
See s. 320.03, F.S.
21
See floridarevenue.com, Florida Dept. of Revenue - Local Option Taxes (floridarevenue.com) (last visited December 4,
2023).
22
Section 336.025(1)(a), F.S. Local option tax rates on diesel fuel are “equalized” statewide, meaning that the full six cents,
and another 1 cent per s. 336.021(1)(a), F.S., is levied on every net gallon of diesel fuel sold in every county. Seven cents’
worth of local option tax revenue on diesel fuel is distributed to local governments, regardless of whether the county is
levying these two taxes. Id.
23
See s. 335.025(3)(a)1.-3. and (3)(b), F.S.
24
Section 206.41(2), F.S.
25
Section 336.025(2)(a), F.S.
26
Id.
BILL: CS/SB 28 Page 6
and all municipalities within the county.27 County and municipal governments may use the
proceeds only for “transportation expenditures.”28
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Definitions (Section 1)
The bill amends s. 320.01, F.S., defining and redefining terms as follows:
 “Electric motorcycle” means a motorcycle, as defi