Category: Legislation

Lawmakers in Virginia, Maryland and other places are considering electric vehicle legislation and laws related to EV charging stations in 2018. These bills include enacting or repealing tax credits for plug-in vehicles and EV charging equipment, anti-ICEing laws and legislation authorizing the installation of charging equipment at multi-unit housing and office buildings. We are keeping track of those bills as they are introduced and following their progress here.

Electric vehicle buyers in Maryland that missed out on getting a state excise tax credit in fiscal year 2017 because the program had depleted its funds, may get that money after all if a bill sponsored by Senator Roger Manno passes.

Maryland SB177 would allow a credit against the excise tax imposed for a plug–in electric vehicle if an application for the credit was filed during fiscal year 2017 (7/1/2016 to 6/30/2017) but the credit was not allowed due to a limitation on the total amount of credits that may be allowed each fiscal year.

The funds devoted to the Maryland Electric Vehicle Excise Tax Credit program have usually been depleted before the end of recent fiscal years. Funds for fiscal year 2017 were depleted by September, 2016. Normally, the tax credits would be applied retroactively when funds were released at the beginning of the next fiscal year.
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We reached out to Virginia Delegate David Bulova of Fairfax County who has introduced bill HB922 that would give authority required under Dillon’s Rule to enable local governments, state universities, community colleges, and parks to operate retail fee-based electric vehicle charging stations. It also exempts localities that own or operate fee-based EV charging stations from being considered a public utility or service company under Virginia regulations.

As introduced, Virginia HB922 would require the charging stations to be restricted to employees and authorized visitors only. However, that restriction could be removed from the bill according to the sponsor. HB922 would amend a law passed in 2017 that gives authority to school boards to operate retail fee-based EV charging stations on their property. § 22.1-131.

We had a few questions that we posed to Delegate Bulova who kindly responded. His answers are highlighted in red below.

Questions and Answers On HB922 with Delegate Bulova

1. Is this bill simply to give enabling authority to localities to install fee-based EV charging stations pursuant to the Dillon Rule or is there another purpose or purposes?

Correct, because of the Dillon Rule, local governments need authorization from the General Assembly to install fee-based EV charging stations. This bill not only provides this authority to local governments, but also state universities, community colleges, and parks.
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Electric vehicle charging stations; local and public operation. Virginia HB922

Virginia Delegate David Bulova of Fairfax County has introduced a bill in the 2018 Virginia General Assembly that would authorize any locality, state park or public institution of higher learning to operate retail fee-based electric vehicle charging stations on their property.

If passed, Virginia HB922 would require the fee-based charging stations at those locations to have signs that restrict their use to employees and authorized visitors only.

HB922 would exempt the affected public institutions that own or operate EV charging stations from being considered a public utility or service company under Virginia regulations. Read More …

Del. David Reid of Loudoun County will introduce House Bill 469 when the 2018 session of the Virginia General Assembly opens on Wednesday, January 10 in Richmond.

Virginia bill HB469 would establish a tax credit of 10 percent of the price of an electric vehicle purchase or lease. The credit is not to exceed $3,500 per taxpayer. If the credit exceeds the taxpayer’s tax liability for the taxable year, the unused credit may be carried forward for up to three years.

The state EV tax credits would remain in effect until 20 percent of vehicles registered in Virginia are electric or taxable year 2023, whichever occurs first. Read More …

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council have formed the Electric Vehicle Policy Task Force, a panel that will guide future policy on electric vehicles and EV charging in Philadelphia.

“EVs are becoming progressively more common in Philadelphia, but increased EV use raises many complex questions,” said Michael Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. “Drawing from a broad and diverse range of stakeholders, this task force will ensure that all perspectives are heard and that realistic, workable policies are set.”

The EV Policy Task Force is working to develop potential solutions and make policy recommendations to encourage electric vehicles as part of the City’s wider multimodal transportation strategy that encourages transit, walking and bicycling.

“I look forward to working with this Task Force to improve the City’s policies for EV usage,” said Councilman David Oh, a member of the Task Force. “I’m confident we can identify and implement policy best practices and infrastructure solutions that will encourage EV ownership while still safeguarding the needs of others.”

Another Task Force member, Councilman Mark Squilla, commented, “Establishing the Task Force with a broad array of perspectives is an important first step in the effort to create an EV policy that will work for all Philadelphians in the years to come.” Read More …

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed an “anti-ICEing” bill into law on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Bill H6302 prohibits a vehicle from occupying a specially designated parking space at an EV charging station unless it is connected to the charging equipment.

In order to be enforceable, the charging space must be indicated with a sign identifying it as an electric vehicle charging station only for electric vehicle charging along with an indication that it is subject to a parking violation. The law will be enforceable on public and private property as applicable but only where designated by signage meeting all the specified requirements.

The penalty is a fine of $85.00 and the law goes into effect immediately.

Rhode Islanders who want to see this law enforced should contact the property managers at EV charging station sites and ask them to post the required signs. It would be a good idea to suggest that the property manager consult with the local police department before ordering signs to ensure the content and design meet the required standards needed for enforcement of §31-21-18 of the General Laws of Rhode Island.
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West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed a road funding bill on Thursday that includes new fees on electric and hybrid vehicles. SB1006, which passed the legislature last week, will impose additional annual registration fees of $200 on all-electric vehicles and $100 on hybrids. The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2017.

A total of 111 all-electric and 328 plug-in hybrid vehicles have been sold in West Virginia since 2011 according to data from the Auto Alliance. Read More …

Public Hearing Scheduled for June 28, 2017

The Jersey City, New Jersey City Council has proposed an ordinance that would make it unlawful to block a specifically designated EV parking space or charging station with a non-electric vehicle or to occupy a charging space with an EV unless it is actively charging.

The proposed City Ordinance 17-075 [PDF link] was introduced at the June 14, 2017 Council Meeting and it also defines certain terms related to electric vehicle charging for purposes of the Code and it requires specific information to be placed on the signs at EV parking/charging spaces in order to be enforceable.

City Ordinance 17-075, portions excerpted below, would authorize towing as well as a fine for violations occurring on a street, alley or City parking facility. Read More …