5/12/05-An effort in the Legislature has died that sought to generate revenue for highway improvements by forcing truckers and other drivers in the state to pay another nickel each time they use plastic to pay for fuel.
HB2838 remained in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee at the end of the session, effectively killing it for the year.
Sponsored by Rep. Phillip Jackson, R-Berryville, the bill was intended as a possible alternative source of revenue for a $1 billion highway bond program pushed by Gov. Mike Huckabee – or go into the state’s treasury if it couldn’t be tied to road improvements.
Under the bill, fuel retailers would have added 5 cents to each purchase made by use of a credit or debit card, gift card or any other method of electronic payment. It would not have been a per-gallon tax, but a per purchase tax.

3/11/05-Truckers and other drivers in Arkansas would pay another nickel each time they use plastic to pay for fuel at the pump under legislation intended to help improve the state’s highways.
Rep. Phillip Jackson, R-Berryville, said his bill could be an alternative source of revenue for a $1 billion highway bond program being pushed by Gov. Mike Huckabee – or go into the state’s treasury if it couldn’t be tied to road improvements.
Under the bill, fuel retailers would add 5 cents to each purchase made by use of a credit or debit card, gift card or any other method of electronic payment. It would not be a per-gallon fee.
HB2838 is in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. For House bill status, call (501) 682-7771.