Motor vehicle fuel tax: rate adjustment.

Existing law, as of July 1, 2010, exempts the sale of, and the storage, use, or other consumption of, motor vehicle fuel from specified sales and use taxes and increases the excise tax on motor vehicle fuel, as provided. Existing law requires the State Board of Equalization to annually adjust the excise tax rate for the state's next fiscal year so that the revenues from the sales and use tax exemption and motor vehicle fuel excise tax increase are revenue neutral. This bill would eliminate the requirement that the State Board of Equalization adjust the rate of the excise tax on motor vehicle fuel, and instead would require the Department of Finance to annually calculate that rate and report that calculated rate to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. The rate for the state's next fiscal year would remain the same as the rate of the current fiscal year or would decrease, as provided. This bill would further state that the rate may increase upon a further act by the Legislature. This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.