No, California lawmakers have not passed a mileage tax

California is nowhere close to replacing its gas tax with a mileage-based fee system, but that has not stopped a swath of misinformation on social media about a proposal that moved forward at the state Capitol last week.The California Assembly approved AB 1421, a measure that continues a more than decades-long study to analyze if the state should move forward with a system that would tax drivers based on the miles they drive to help fund roads and other transportation-related costs in the state. The bill specifically directs the California Transportation Commission to consolidate the information it collected along with state, local and private entities and submit a report to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2027. The proposed study heads next to the Senate for a series of hearings and a full vote. Republicans worry the study could translate eventually into a tax, noting the state already has some of the highest fees related to driving in the country. “We know the real intent here, it’s a full-blown mileage tax,” said Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, during the bill’s debate last week. Assemblymember Lori Wilson, D-Suisun City, said the bill is meant to help the Legislature in the future make an informed decision as the state moves forward with efforts to phase out the use of oil and gas over the next few decades. As the state collects fewer dollars in gas taxes, lawmakers say eventually they will need to explore ways to fill funding gaps. “How do we ensure all motorists pay their fair share while protecting affordability and privacy?” Wilson said. She noted there will be several local and statewide town halls to ensure commuters, workers, and businesses are heard “before any policy decisions are made.” Wilson said she would specifically direct agencies to find ways to avoid double taxing motorists, if lawmakers ever decided to move forward with the mileage-based fee. Studies at the state Capitol can turn an idea into a reality. The Capitol Annex project is an example of that. But not all studies turn into substantive changes to state law. How much would the study cost? While AB 1421 does not impose a new tax or fee, the study will still cost taxpayer dollars. The Assembly Appropriations Committee wrote in its most recent fiscal analysis that it could cost somewhere in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to low millions of dollars.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channelKCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

California is nowhere close to replacing its gas tax with a mileage-based fee system, but that has not stopped a swath of misinformation on social media about a proposal that moved forward at the state Capitol last week.

The California Assembly approved AB 1421, a measure that continues a more than decades-long study to analyze if the state should move forward with a system that would tax drivers based on the miles they drive to help fund roads and other transportation-related costs in the state. The bill specifically directs the California Transportation Commission to consolidate the information it collected along with state, local and private entities and submit a report to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2027. The proposed study heads next to the Senate for a series of hearings and a full vote.

Republicans worry the study could translate eventually into a tax, noting the state already has some of the highest fees related to driving in the country.

“We know the real intent here, it’s a full-blown mileage tax,” said Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, during the bill’s debate last week.

Assemblymember Lori Wilson, D-Suisun City, said the bill is meant to help the Legislature in the future make an informed decision as the state moves forward with efforts to phase out the use of oil and gas over the next few decades. As the state collects fewer dollars in gas taxes, lawmakers say eventually they will need to explore ways to fill funding gaps.

“How do we ensure all motorists pay their fair share while protecting affordability and privacy?” Wilson said. She noted there will be several local and statewide town halls to ensure commuters, workers, and businesses are heard “before any policy decisions are made.”

Wilson said she would specifically direct agencies to find ways to avoid double taxing motorists, if lawmakers ever decided to move forward with the mileage-based fee.

Studies at the state Capitol can turn an idea into a reality. The Capitol Annex project is an example of that. But not all studies turn into substantive changes to state law.

How much would the study cost?

While AB 1421 does not impose a new tax or fee, the study will still cost taxpayer dollars.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee wrote in its most recent fiscal analysis that it could cost somewhere in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to low millions of dollars.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.