The Environmental Quality Council is weighing whether to introduce two bills during the 2019 legislative session. Lawmakers in 2017 approved legislation that raised the gasoline tax to generate an extra $30 million annually to pay for roads and bridges and support local roads projects.The off-road proposals would take a small percentages of gas tax revenue to increase off-highway vehicle project funding from $180,000 to
$617,000 annually. Snowmobile trails would receive over 1 million a year, compared to the current $775,000. Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman, said the proposed changes would benefit Montana's $7 billion outdoor recreation industry.Lawmakers in 2017 approved legislation that raised the gasoline tax from 27 cents a gallon to 31.5 cents, with eventual increases to 33 cents. The diesel tax went from 27 cents per gallon to 29.25. The hikes were designed to generate an extra $30 million annually to pay for roads and bridges and to support local roads projects.

(The Associated Press Contributed to this Story)

Photo Courtesy of Jon King
Photo Courtesy of Jon King
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