This site is maintained by Missourians for Transportation Investment, P.O. Box 772, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702
increasing the state motor fuel tax
The current Missouri state motor fuel tax is inadequate to sustain and improve Missouri's roads and bridges. Despite maintaining the 7th largest transportation system in the United States, Missouri ranks 48th nationally in revenue per mile.
- $825 million in high-priority transportation needs go unfunded every year.
- Due to inflation and ever-improving vehicle fuel economy, the purchasing power of Missouri’s state fuel tax has effectively dropped from 17 cents to 6 cents.
- More than 6,700 miles of Missouri roadways are in poor condition.
- 909 Missouri bridges are in poor condition.
- 1,131 Missouri bridges have been weight-restricted.
State motor fuel tax is a user fee, paid by those who use the state transportation network.
Other states have recognized the need to increase user fees. Since 2013, 31 states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation to increase gas taxes.
The Missouri General Assembly should pass legislation during the 2021 legislative session that would increase the state motor fuel tax within the limits of the Hancock Amendment, with the increased revenue dedicated to transportation investment.
The legislation may include a motor fuel tax refund equal to the amount of the additional state motor fuel tax paid (over and above existing state motor fuel tax) so long as claimants submit proof of purchase.
Current Motor Fuel Tax Bills
HB 114 - Representative Butz
This bill will increase the tax on motor fuel by $0.10 from its current level of $0.17 per gallon to $0.27 cents per gallon using incremental increases of $0.02 per gallon beginning January 1, 2022 and ending on January 1, 2026. It would also require alternative fuels to be taxed at a substantially similar rate approved by the Department of Agriculture beginning January 1, 2028.
HB 694 - Representative Francis
This bill raises the state motor fuel tax by 10-cents over a five-year period. It also includes language that would set the blended motor fuel tax on fuel that contains between 6-10% biodiesel at 3 cents below the state motor fuel taxes rate and if the blended fuel contains more than 10% biodiesel, it would be 6 cents below the state motor fuel tax rate.
SB 262 – Senator Schatz
Currently there is an excise tax of 17 cents-per-gallon on motor fuel. This act increases the tax by 2 cents per year over a period of 5 years. When the act is fully implemented, the excise tax on motor fuel will be 27 cents-per-gallon. This act contains a referendum clause, which would place the language on the ballot for voters in November 2022.
SB 344 - Senator Brown
This act specifies that biodiesel blended with motor fuel shall be taxed at a rate of 3 or 6 cents per gallon less than regular motor fuel, depending on the mixture's percent biodiesel content, if the tax on motor fuel becomes greater than 17 cents per gallon.
SJR 21 – Senator Schatz
Currently there is a statutory tax of 17 cents-per-gallon on motor fuel. This proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, establishes a minimum motor fuel tax of 19 cents-per-gallon in 2022, and increases this minimum tax by 2 cents per year over a period of 4 additional years. When the amendment is fully implemented, the minimum motor fuel tax will be 27 cents-per-gallon. This act would require a statewide vote in November 2022.