OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation to address long-term transportation infrastructure funding.

House Bill 1712, authored by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, creates a Road User Charge Task Force to study methods that may be used to record and report public road usage, specifically for electric vehicles and electric/hybrid vehicles, as well as alternatives to the current system of taxing highway use through motor vehicle fuel taxes.

“With the projected growth of the electric vehicle industry and in consideration of our current system for road maintenance being based on the taxes we pay at the pump with combustion vehicles, foresight is necessary for our success,” Hill said. “The task force created by House Bill 1712 will be crucial for the future of our roads and bridges over the following decades in making evidence-based decisions for Oklahoma’s infrastructure needs.”

The bill requires a report on findings and recommendations by Dec. 31, 2023. It also directs the Oklahoma Tax Commission to administer collection of any charges or fees associated with the voluntary opt-in Road User Charge Program.

HB1712 was carried in the Senate by Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow.

“The creation of this task force is an important and necessary first step in being able to properly fund our state transportation needs,” Haste said. “The emergence of electric and hybrid vehicle availability, coupled with increased MPG standards, is dramatically reducing the current fuel tax revenues. I look forward to seeing the recommendations that will be presented by the task force.”

Many vehicle manufacturers have announced their intentions to add a significant number of electric and hybrid models to their fleets by 2025.

HB1712 goes into effect Nov. 1, 2021.