(Image source from: bikeaz.org)

As per a new proposal in the state legislature, Arizona drivers may need to pay more to improve rural highway maintenance, in the form of extra $18 for the annual car registration.

HB2166, the proposal is expected to generate a specific charge for Arizona Department Of Public Safety troopers’ funding. Eventually, an additional fund of $120 million would be available form the HURF. The resulting fund would be distributed to country, state, and local road construction as well as the repair projects.

Currently the funding is being shipped from the Highway User Revenue Fund, which would be replaced by the new funding proposal.

Ron Todd, an Arizona driver has reportedly said that, "Someone needs to pay for the roads to get fixed, and the people who are using them should probably be those people."

Another Arizona driver Gary Balcerzak said, "I just spent more money at the emissions testing, so why would I want to put any more money in?"

Status Of HB2166:

The bill is waiting for the hearing in the Senate, as HB2166 was narrowly passed the Arizona House of Representatives in late February 2018.

-Sumana Maheswari