Summary of Public Comment

Road User Fee Task ForcendReport to the 72 Oregon Legislative AssemblyMarch 2003Appendix GSummary of Public CommentPublic HearingMay 2, 2002Pendleton, OregonAfter a presentation by Task Force Administrator James Whitty about the work of theRoad User Fee Task Force, task force members received public testimony.Topics raised: Studded Tire Use Permit Fee. People expressed opposition to a studded tire fee thatwould discourage the use of studded tires in places of the state where they believe thestudded tires are needed. If the fee varied by regional damage, opposition abated. Vehicle Miles Traveled Fee. A person expressed opposition to the use of technologyfor tracking the movement of motorists.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Public HearingJune 4, 2002Portland, OregonAfter a presentation by Representative Bruce Starr on the work of the Road User FeeTask Force, task force members received public testimony.Topics raised: User Fees. A Portland area economic development association supported the idea ofrevenue mechanisms that are “user fees.” Taxing Hybrid Electric Vehicles at Higher Rate. Several people testified againstdisadvantaging hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in any new revenue mechanism.Some believed HEVs should pay no more than they do under the fuel tax on gasoline.They believed they should receive a tax break vis-à-vis gas guzzling vehicles. Vehicle Miles ...