A. Except as provided in subsection C, every motor carrier shall pay a road tax per gallon equivalent to the cents per gallon credit for diesel fuel as determined under subsection A of § 58.1-2706 for the relevant period plus an additional amount per gallon, as determined by subsection B, calculated on the amount of motor fuel, diesel fuel or liquefied gases (which would not exist as liquids at a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and a pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute), used in its operations within the Commonwealth.

The tax imposed by this chapter shall be in addition to all other taxes of whatever character imposed on a motor carrier by any other provision of law.

B. The additional amount per gallon shall be determined by the Commissioner annually, effective July 1 of each year. On July 1, 2019, the additional amount per gallon shall be calculated by multiplying the average fuel economy by $0.01125. On July 1, 2020, and each July 1 thereafter, the additional amount per gallon shall be calculated by multiplying the average fuel economy by $0.0225. The additional amount per gallon shall be rounded to the nearest one-tenth of a cent. For purposes of this subsection, "average fuel economy" shall be calculated by dividing the total taxable miles driven in the Commonwealth by the total taxable gallons of fuel consumed in the Commonwealth, as reported in IFTA returns in the preceding taxable year.

C. In lieu of the tax imposed in subsection A, motor carriers registering qualified highway vehicles that are not registered under the International Registration Plan shall pay a fee of $150 per year for each qualified highway vehicle regardless of whether such vehicle will be included on the motor carrier's IFTA return. For the period of July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, the fee shall be adjusted based on the percent change in the road tax imposed pursuant to subsection A from June 30, 2019, to July 1, 2019. The Commissioner shall adjust the fee annually on July 1 of every year thereafter based on the percentage change in the road tax imposed pursuant to subsection A for the previous fiscal year as compared to the current fiscal year. The fee is due and payable when the vehicle registration fees are paid pursuant to the provisions of Article 7 (§ 46.2-685 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 46.2.

If a vehicle becomes a qualified highway vehicle before the end of its registration period, the fee due at the time the vehicle becomes a qualified highway vehicle shall be prorated monthly to the registration expiration month. Fees paid under this subsection shall not be refunded unless a full refund of the registration fee paid is authorized by law.

D. 1. Except as provided in subdivision 2, all taxes and fees paid under the provisions of this chapter shall be credited to the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1530, a special fund within the Commonwealth Transportation Fund.

2. The net additional revenues generated by this section pursuant to enactments of the 2019 Session of the General Assembly shall be deposited as follows: (i) an amount equal to such net revenues multiplied by a ratio of the vehicle miles traveled on Interstate 81 by vehicles classified as Class 6 or higher by the Federal Highway Administration to the total vehicle miles traveled on all interstate highways in the Commonwealth by vehicles classified as Class 6 or higher by the Federal Highway Administration into the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-3601; (ii) an amount equal to such net revenues multiplied by a ratio of the vehicle miles traveled on the portion of interstate highways located within the boundaries of Planning District 8 by vehicles classified as Class 6 or higher by the Federal Highway Administration to total vehicle miles traveled on all interstate highways in the Commonwealth by vehicles classified as Class 6 or higher by the Federal Highway Administration into the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-2509; and (iii) all remaining net revenues to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for use for operational improvements and other enhancements to improve the safety and reliability of, and travel flow along, interstate highway corridors in the Commonwealth. The Board shall ensure that for any interstate highway with more than 10 percent of total interstate truck vehicle miles traveled that the total long-term expenditure for each such interstate highway is approximately equal to the proportional revenue subject to clause (iii) that is attributable to such interstate highway. For purposes of this subdivision, "net additional revenues" means the additional revenues generated by this section pursuant to enactments of the 2019 Session of the General Assembly, minus any refunds or remittances required to be paid.

Code 1950, §§ 58-628, 58-631, 58-637; 1956, c. 475; 1960, c. 603; 1964, c. 255; 1972, cc. 490, 862; 1973, c. 331; 1978, c. 673; 1979, c. 709; 1980, c. 227; 1982, c. 671; 1984, c. 675; 1986, c. 553; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 15; 1996, c. 575; 1997, c. 423; 2000, cc. 729, 758; 2002, c. 265; 2007, c. 896; 2011, cc. 881, 889; 2013, c. 766; 2019, cc. 837, 846.