ND legislative committee doubles proposed gas tax

The price of gas will be going up in North Dakota if a legislative recommendation becomes law.

The House Finance and Taxation committee on Monday amended a bill calling for a three cent hike in the state’s gas tax to a full six cents a gallon.  Supporters say with rising maintenance costs an increase in the tax is long overdue.  Right now North Dakota’s gas tax sits at 23 cents a gallon.

Representative Marv Nelson says the need is there.  “These roads are going to decline whether we have the money or not.”

Representative Jason Dockter says construction costs will continue to go up.  “Every year you let this go the costs continue to rise.”

By comparison the gas tax rate in Minnesota is 28.6 cents….30 cents a gallon in South Dakota….and 32.75 cents in Montana.  North Dakota’s last tax hike was in 2005.

House bill 14-64 would also impose a 250 dollar annual fee against owners of electric vehicles – and a $150 dollar fee against hybrid models.

The committee gave the tax hike a DO PASS recommendation on a 9-5 vote.