4/25/08-Gov. Chet Culver has signed a bill into law to help address a widening budget deficit for road and bridge work.
The new law, previously SF2420, uses motor vehicle registration and title fee increases to help chip away at the $200 million annual shortfall in money for highway construction maintenance. It is expected to generate $161 million a year from vehicle fees by fiscal year 2012.
The bill applies to vehicles purchased after Jan. 1, 2009.
The fee-increase package will end the $65 flat fee to register pickup trucks. Instead, assessments for cars and pickups will be based on weight and value.
Business-trade trucks weighing up to 10,000 pounds will be assessed a maximum $150 fee for the 2010 model year and beyond. The fee will gradually decline to $50 over 12 years.
Registration fees for trailers weighing more than 2,000 pounds will increase to $30. Trailers weighing 2,000 pounds or less will increase to $20. Title fees for most vehicles also will increase to $20.

4/18/08-The House voted 53-47 to send a bill to Gov. Chet Culver that would uses motor vehicle registration and title fee increases to help chip away at the $200 million annual shortfall in money for highway construction maintenance. The Senate previously approved it on a 35-14 vote.
SF2420 would generate $161 million a year from vehicle fees by fiscal year 2012.
The boost in fees would not apply to existing vehicles. The governor said he plans to sign the bill that would apply to vehicles purchased after Jan. 1, 2009.
The fee-increase package would end the $65 flat fee to register pickup trucks. Instead, assessments for cars and pickups would be based on weight and value.
Business-trade trucks weighing up to 10,000 pounds would be assessed a maximum $150 fee for the 2010 model year and beyond. The fee would gradually decline to $50 over 12 years.
Registration fees for trailers weighing more than 2,000 pounds would increase to $30. Trailers weighing 2,000 pounds or less would increase to $20. Title fees for most vehicles also would increase to $20.
For bill status, call (515) 281-5129.