I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 679 
To establish a Road Usage Charge Pilot Program to study mileage-based 
fee systems, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 3, 2015 
Mr. BLUMENAUER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce, for a pe-
riod to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for con-
sideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish a Road Usage Charge Pilot Program to study 
mileage-based fee systems, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Road Usage Charge 
Pilot Program Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) The 2009 report of the National Surface 
Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commis-
sion recommends a transition away from the fuel tax 
to a more stable funding source, noting that a mile-
age-based fee system is the consensus choice for pol-
icy leaders. 
(2) The 2008 report of the National Surface 
Transportation and Revenue Study Commission rec-
ommends further study of the implementation of 
mileage-based fee systems at the State level and of 
their compatibility with a national revenue system, 
noting that in the long run, a mileage-based fee sys-
tem seems the most likely and appropriate method 
to be implemented. 
(3) According to the Congressional Budget Of-
fice, the revenue raised from the gas tax since its 
last increase in 1993 has lost over one-third of its 
purchasing power due to increasing fuel efficiency, 
changing transportation patterns, and inflation. 
(4) By 2030, the corporate average fuel econ-
omy standards will have reduced Highway Trust 
Fund receipts by more than 20 percent. 
(5) The fuel tax revenue mechanism results in 
some industries paying more than their commensu-
rate road use. 
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SEC. 3. ROAD USAGE CHARGE PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the Treas-
ury (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall es-
tablish a competitive grant program to be known as the 
Road Usage Charge Pilot Program (in this Act referred 
to as the ‘‘Program’’) to make grants to eligible entities 
to— 
(1) conduct pilot studies of methods for record-
ing and reporting the number of miles traveled by 
particular vehicles; 
(2) conduct pilot studies of payment, enforce-
ment, and privacy protection methods for mileage- 
based fee systems; and 
(3) implement mileage-based fee systems in ju-
risdictions that have adopted a plan for such sys-
tems. 
(b) APPLICATION REQUIRED.—To be eligible for a 
grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall submit 
to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, 
and containing such information and assurances as the 
Secretary may require. 
(c) SELECTION OF PILOT STUDIES.—In awarding 
grants under the Program, the Secretary shall select pilot 
studies that, in combination, explore means to address the 
following concerns: 
(1) Protection of personal privacy. 
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(2) Ease of public compliance. 
(3) Level of public acceptance. 
(4) Geographic and income equity. 
(5) Integration with State and local transpor-
tation revenue mechanisms. 
(6) Administrative issues. 
(7) Cost. 
(8) Enforcement issues. 
(9) Potential for fraud or evasion. 
(10) Feasibility of implementation. 
(d) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under the Pro-
gram, the Secretary shall give priority to pilot studies 
that— 
(1) serve as a model for broad implementation 
of a mileage-based fee system; 
(2) address concerns of rural and urban user 
equity; 
(3) involve multistate projects; 
(4) have a high volume of enrolled vehicles; 
(5) integrate with State and local revenue sys-
tems; 
(6) integrate with local demand management 
plans; 
(7) integrate with other intelligent transpor-
tation system technologies; and 
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(8) test the proposed revenue collection system 
by collecting and distributing revenue. 
(e) REQUIRED MINIMUM FUNDS FOR PLANNING OR-
GANIZATIONS.—In awarding grants under the Program, 
the Secretary shall ensure that not less than 10 percent 
of funds available under the Program in a fiscal year are 
reserved for pilot studies carried out in conjunction with 
metropolitan planning organizations or regional transpor-
tation planning organizations. 
(f) COST SHARING.—An eligible entity that receives 
a grant under this Act shall provide funds, from non-Fed-
eral sources, in an amount equal to 20 percent of the 
amount of grant funds provided to the entity to carry out 
the activities supported by the grant. 
SEC. 4. WORKING GROUP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of Transportation, shall establish 
a working group that shall— 
(1) evaluate the technology platforms and 
standards used in the program and develop national 
technology standards for a road usage charge, as 
well as develop national privacy standards for a road 
usage charge that balance the effectiveness of rev-
enue systems with user privacy; 
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