EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 16, 2025 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) introduced House Bill 4735 yesterday, legislation that would establish a weight-distance fee for heavy trucks traveling through the state, modeled after the successful system in place in Kentucky for over two decades. The proposed legislation is projected to generate over $100 million annually — potentially as much as $150 million — in dedicated funding for road maintenance and infrastructure improvement. After introducing the bill, Skaggs issued the following statement:
“Heavy trucks are responsible for a significant share of the wear and tear on our roads, and this bill ensures they more fairly contribute to the cost of maintaining Michigan’s roads. We must continue to fix the damn roads, and that means developing a sustainable, fair and non-invasive revenue stream that is easy to comply with. This bill will help ensure our transportation system is safe and reliable for everyone.
“With the state facing growing infrastructure needs and continued budget uncertainty under House Republican leadership, this bill offers a fiscally responsible path forward that does not rely on deficit spending, raiding school funding or further delays in critical road repairs. This is a common-sense solution that modernizes how we fund our roads and ensures that all users — especially those putting the greatest strain on our infrastructure — help support its upkeep.”
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