TALLAHASSEE — Drivers may have some extra cash in their pockets if the state Legislature continues to move on a fee reduction bill — but how many dollars remains to be seen.
A state Senate panel Thursday unanimously approved a bill (SB 156) that would cut vehicle registration fees, raised in 2009. In its current form, the bill would trim the fees by about $12 a year for a typical vehicle. State lawmakers increased the fees during the height of the recession to help meet budget obligations, but now that the economy has turned around and there’s a budget surplus, they want to give taxpayers a break.
“I think this a great way to give some tax and fee relief directly to anyone who owns a vehicle and registers a vehicle,” said Sen. Joe Negron, the bill’s sponsor.
The legislation, however, wouldn’t completely roll back the 2009 increases; it would only pare them back by about half, resulting in an annual reduction averaging $236 million.
Gov. Rick Scott wants to see the legislation go further. He’s pushing a cut that would return the registration fees to pre-2009 levels. The result would be about a $400 million annual reduction, translating into about $25 less for a typical vehicle registration.
Both measures, if approved, would take effect Sept. 1.
The governor released a statement Thursday, after the bill passed, carefully carving out his position.
“I want to thank Sen. Joe Negron and members of the committee for this important first step in rolling back some of the annual increases that were placed on families for registering their vehicles,” he said. “We’re committed to undoing the 54 percent tax increase that families experienced in 2009, so we can give more back to families.”
Similarly, in committee, Negron, R-Stuart, thanked the governor for promoting the issue around the state and said an agreement could be reached.
“We’ll be able to work out those details on an appropriate number once we know a little bit more about our revenues, and so we can sort that out during the upcoming session,” he said.
Negron is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, so he has the bird’s-eye view on the state budget, which is predicted to have a surplus of more than $1 billion.
“What we can promise people is that fee decrease will be large and it will be something that they’ll feel,” Negron said.
The bill has received broad bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, and it received no criticism in the committee meeting. State Sen. Greg Evers, who filed the same bill in three previous sessions, however, took the opportunity to shower some praise.
“Very seldom does government give back that that it takes, and I commend you on that,” said Evers, R-Baker.
Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, also voiced his support in a written statement.
“As we did last year, the Senate stands with Sen. Negron in advocating for tax and fee reductions that will leave more money with the Floridians who earn it,” he said.
Thursday’s vote marked the second Senate committee to approve the measure; the bill will go to Negron’s committee next before heading to the floor.
House companion legislation (HB 61) has not yet received a hearing and has been referred to three committees.