SB 106-16: Energy Cost Reduction Act of 2021 (Failed)

[WD]

Motion to table.

[WD]

My motion is based on the fact that still, this bill is quite poorly written. First, of all the bill establishes a energy sustainability fund, but here is literally no elaboration beyond that. What will it do? How does it work? What is it’s purpose?

In addition, it states that such fund will be funded by “taxation of electric vehicles and tolls...to the amount of $50,000,000”. What exactly does this mean? This section is quite perplexing. Now, on first reading I took it to mean you want to actually tax tolls themselves, but I now take it as meaning that revenue from tolls will go to the fund? But how? There is no elaboration. If you mean $50 billion of toll revenue will go to the fund, that’s well and fine.

Next, are you claiming that each electric vehicle owner will pay a tax of $50 billion, or will they all be taxed in a way that total revenue equals $50 billion? I assume not, but that’s what it certainly sounds like in some interpretations. You lay out what (I think) your total revenue from this tax will be, but how exactly will this tax be implemented? What are the rates? You cannot just say “we’ll have a tax and it will generate x amount”. I could go on and on, but overall, this is just a bad piece of legislation.

[WD]

Aye

[WD]

In addition to what Senator WD said, why exactly would we want to tax electric vehicles? If anything, doesn't it make more sense to tax non-electric vehicles and gas and subsidize electric vehicles to make them more affordable?

The idea is to give an incentive for the building of infrastructure while simultaneously reducing the cost. So yes, subsidizing electric vehicles would be necessary as well. There should be no new taxes involved.

Sure, but this bill does have new taxes.

[WD]

I will not support any increase in the gas tax and I intend to vote against this bill as it currently stands.

[WD]

Motioning for a final vote

[WD]

Nay

[WD]

Final vote on the Energy Cost Reduction Act:

Aye (1): Spark
Nay (8: Ishan, Discovolante, Dabbing Santa, Kuumo, OBD, MB, Western Democrat, DeadPrez
Abstain (3): West Midlander, CentristRepublican, Tack
Not voting (6): North Carolina Yankee, Joseph Cao, Muaddib, Old School Republican, Pericles, S019

The bill is rejected.