Oregon Raises Weight Fee System for Trucks Under New Transportation Law

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown
Gov. Kate Brown signed into law an increase in Oregon's weight fee. (Meg Roussos/Bloomberg News)

Oregon’s weight-per-mile system for trucks will increase under a $5.3 billion, 10-year bill Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed into law on Aug. 28.

Under the law, the weight fee would shift from $16.38 cents per mile to an estimated $25.12 cents per mile by 2025. Also, starting on Jan. 1, the motor vehicle fuel tax will increase 4 cents per gallon. That tax will then increase 2 cents in 2020, 2022 and 2024 until it reaches 10 cents per gallon.

Estimates show the law will lead to 16,000 new jobs in the construction sector, according to the governor’s office.

“For the first time, Oregon will have a dedicated source of funding for transit, which can be a vehicle out of poverty for many working families,” Brown said while on a tour of her state. “I appreciate the determination of legislators and the business community to work toward this shared vision of improving the economy of Oregon, while affirming our commitment to innovate, tackle climate change and build a more resilient state for future generations.”