PRINTER'S NO. 1991
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 125
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY RABB, HANBIDGE, SANCHEZ, N. NELSON, A. DAVIS,
VITALI, D. WILLIAMS, LEE, HOHENSTEIN, FREEMAN, SCHLOSSBERG,
HILL-EVANS, WEBSTER, MALAGARI, CIRESI AND OTTEN,
JULY 30, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, JULY 30, 2021
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
2 conduct a study of electric vehicles and issue a report of
3 its findings to the General Assembly.
4 WHEREAS, As of 2019, there are approximately 2,829
5 structurally deficient bridges in this Commonwealth that require
6 significant infrastructure repairs; and
7 WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has one of the highest motor
8 vehicle fuel taxes in the nation and uses funds from this tax to
9 repair and maintain 120,000 miles of State and local highways
10 and 32,000 miles of State and local bridges; and
11 WHEREAS, Technological advancements and government incentives
12 have spurred an increase in the popularity of electric vehicles,
13 which do not pay the State motor vehicle fuel tax; and
14 WHEREAS, In January 2019, Governor Wolf signed an executive
15 order establishing a Statewide goal of reducing Pennsylvania's
16 greenhouse gas emissions 26% by 2025 and 80% by 2050 when
17 compared with 2005 levels, which includes replacing 25% of the
 1 State government passenger car fleet with electric cars and
2 electric hybrid cars by 2025; and
3 WHEREAS, In 2013, transportation made up 23% of net
4 greenhouse gas emissions in this Commonwealth with 65% of these
5 net emissions coming from gasoline-powered vehicles and 26%
6 coming from diesel-powered vehicles; and
7 WHEREAS, Each mile driven by an electric vehicle has the
8 potential to emit 50% less greenhouse gases than a gasoline-
9 powered vehicle by 2023; and
10 WHEREAS, States throughout the nation have implemented road
11 usage fees for electric vehicles, including a pilot program in
12 Oregon to tax vehicles based on vehicle miles traveled; and
13 WHEREAS, The General Assembly has considered legislation that
14 would eliminate the alternative fuels tax on electricity for
15 noncommercial electric vehicles and replace it with annual
16 electric vehicle road use fees; and
17 WHEREAS, Before passing or enacting such legislation, a study
18 of the impact of electric vehicles and the effects of a road use
19 fee should be completed; therefore be it
20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
21 Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the costs and
22 benefits of electric vehicles on the infrastructure,
23 environment, employment, transportation and economy of this
24 Commonwealth; and be it further
25 RESOLVED, That the study include analysis of a mileage-based
26 transportation funding mechanism for all vehicles and of an
27 annual electric vehicle road use fee; and be it further
28 RESOLVED, That the study include recommendations for fees and
29 other incentives related to the growing proportion of electric
30 vehicles sold and driven in this Commonwealth; and be it further
20210HR0125PN1991 - 2 -
1 RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
2 hold at least one public hearing prior to preparing a report on
3 its findings and accept testimony from affected parties and
4 relevant stakeholders; and be it further
5 RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
6 issue a report of its findings to the General Assembly within
7 one year of the adoption of this resolution.
20210HR0125PN1991 - 3 -