SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In California, it doesn't rain higher taxes but what it pours fee increases for motorcoach companies and other operators of commercial vehicles.
A bill now making its way through the state legislature would increase weight fees for commercial vehicles by 42 percent effective Dec. 31.
That would mean that a 48,000 pound motorcoach coach would see its gross weight fee increase by $404 annually, going from $948 to $1,352. The weight fee for a 40,000 pound coach would jump $357.
Weight fees are part of the state vehicle registration fee structure. In California, commercial vehicle registration fees are based on a vehicle's declared operating weight.
The proposed weight-fee change would be in addition to the tripling of vehicle licensing fees that go into effect Oct. 1. As reported in the July 15 issue of Bus & Motorcoach News, vehicle licensing fees are being returned to 2 percent of the vehicle value later this year. For the past five years, the licensing fee has been 0.65 percent of the value.
A coach company that has been paying $15,000 annually in vehicle licensing fees will see that number go to more than $45,000.
The bad news doesn't end there.
The bill (AB 1767) that proposes increasing weight fees also contains a provision that would index certain other fees imposed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles for various transactions.
In other words, the fees would go up automatically each year, beginning in 2005, at the same rate as inflation. For example, a $200 fee in 2004 would increase to $210 in 2005, if the state inflation rate is 5 percent.
To pass, the weight-fee legislation requires a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature. It already has passed the General Assembly and is slated for Senate action next. The Senate has until September to act on the bill.

Proposed Registration Fees

Gross vehicle Fee
Weight range
10,001-15,000 $371
15,001-20,000 $507
20,001-26,000 $623
26,001-30,000 $789
30,001-35,000 $926
35,001-40,000 $1,086
40,001-45,000 $1,194
45,001-50,000 $1,352
50,001-54,999 $1,481
55,000-60,000 $1,671
60,001-65,000 $1,826
65,001-70,000 $1,991
70,001-75,000 $2,349
75,001-80,000 $2,420

Current Registration Fees
Gross vehicle
Weight Ranges Fee
10,001-15,000 $257
15,001-20,000 $353
20,001-26,000 $435
26,001-30,000 $552
30,001-35,000 $648
35,001-40,000 $761
40,001-45,000 $837
45,001-50,000 $948
50,001-54,999 $1,039
55,000-60,000 $1,173
60,001-65,000 $1,282
65,001-70,000 $1,398
70,001-75,000 $1,650
75,001-80,000 $1,700