MRF Watching User Fees
Ensuring Fairness For Motorcycles
As Congress prepares to take up a major highway and transportation reauthorization bill in 2026, proposals to impose new federal registration fees on electric and hybrid vehicles are expected to resurface. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) this week stated that user fees on EVs and hybrids will likely be included in the bipartisan legislation, emphasizing that “If you are using our roads and bridges, you should be paying into that process.”
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) continues to monitor these discussions closely to ensure that motorcycles are treated fairly in any user fee system used to fund road and infrastructure construction. The MRF supports the principle that all roadway users contribute to the upkeep of the nation’s highways, but we will strongly oppose any proposal that unfairly singles out or penalizes motorcyclists.
A key part of this debate centers on the federal gas tax, which has remained unchanged at 18.4 cents per gallon since 1993. With inflation and improved vehicle fuel efficiency reducing revenues, the Highway Trust Fund, which is funded through the federal fuel tax, faces a growing deficit, prompting lawmakers to explore new funding mechanisms.
With Congress under pressure to stabilize the Trust Fund, there will be increased focus on identifying new and fair sources of revenue. The MRF is committed to ensuring that motorcyclists’ voices are part of this conversation and that policymakers understand the important role motorcycles play in reducing congestion, fuel consumption, and roadway wear. As work on the 2026 highway bill moves forward, the MRF will remain vigilant in protecting the rights and interests of America’s riders.
