State Rep. Greg Vital on the House floor
State Rep. Greg Vital, R-Harrison, has passed legislation requiring the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to study and recommend long-term funding solutions for the state’s transportation infrastructure system.
House Bill 736 directs TACIR to determine how much funding the state needs to maintain and improve its roads and bridges. The legislation also directs the commission to find new funding methods as revenue from traditional sources, such as the gasoline tax, declines due to the growing use of fuel-efficient and electric vehicles.
“Tennessee’s population is growing, and the cost of building and maintaining roads is rising,” Rep. Vital said. “Transportation remains a top priority but with declining revenue, the state must find new ways to generate funds that meet long-term highway and bridge infrastructure needs.”
The commission must estimate the state’s transportation funding gap, analyze ongoing costs such as staffing and maintenance and explore alternative funding options. These may include fees for road usage, rental cars, delivery services or large commercial vehicles, as well as using part of the state sales tax from vehicles and tires.
The study will also consider how these options would impact industries and residents and review successful funding strategies from at least three other states.
The final report is due by Sept. 30, 2026, and must be submitted to the chairs of the House and Senate transportation committees and to the state’s legislative library.
House Bill 736 now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.