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Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022

Did Steve Sisolak raise state fuel taxes?


no

According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Nevada last increased its state fuel taxes in 1994. Only six other states have gone longer without an increase.

Following the 2019 legislative session, Democratic Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed Senate Bill 48; it passed mostly along party lines, with some Republican legislators in support. This law authorizes rural county commissions to implement a 5-cent surcharge on gallons of diesel fuel sold in their county. This surcharge must be approved by a two-thirds county commission vote or through a ballot question.

Supporters of the bill said it would address a “taxpayer inequity” because county taxes on regular gasoline help pay for road maintenance and construction, but there was no such tax on diesel. According to the Nevada DMV, 8 of 17 counties have implemented the 5-cent diesel fuel surcharge. 

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