Assigned to FIN & TRANS                                                                                                                  FOR COMMITTEE

 

 


 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1027

 

restricted fuel distributors; reporting requirements

 

Purpose

 

Modifies the requirements of restricted fuel distributors in reporting the sale of gasoline to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

 

Background

 

Highway user revenue fund (HURF) monies are distributed to various recipients.  The Legislature has provided direction for specific off-the-top distributions such as distributions to the Department of Public Safety.  State law delineates the distribution of the balance of HURF revenues to the counties and cities in Arizona and to the state highway fund. 

 

State law also provides for correction of misreporting or other errors that may occur to correct prior distributions of revenues.  According to ADOT, adjustments in amended reports and audits are a constant fact affecting the HURF distribution.  Most adjustments do not significantly impact the distribution of HURF revenues to any specific recipient.  However, on occasion a supplier may amend its reports or a major audit of a company may result in adjustments.  As a result, monies to recipients can be dramatically affected.  Approximately 18 months ago, Cochise County experienced a drop of 48 percent in its monthly distribution as the result of the filing of multiple amended reports by a major fuel supplier.  Recently, a number of cities experienced drops in their monthly revenue from HURF of between 33 to 36 percent.  Legislation passed in 2001 limits adjustments to no more than 25 percent per month (Laws 2001, Chapter 287).

 

Suppliers in Arizona collect fuel taxes. Distributors move fuel between counties.  The calculation of the distribution of HURF revenues is based in part on the gallons of gasoline sold in each county.  Suppliers and restricted distributors must work together to arrive at the proper reporting of the county where the ultimate sale takes place.  According to ADOT, the current reporting system is not sufficient to prevent the occurrence of reporting errors.

 

S.B. 1027 requires restricted distributors to report the movement of fuel from the original purchase county to the county of destination on a load by load basis.  ADOT believes this will enhance the Department’s ability to track the movement of the fuel and to more precisely account for the destination of the fuel.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Modifies the reporting requirements of restricted fuel distributors to include the amount of fuel acquired by the restricted distributor during the past month and the disposition of the fuel to the counties.

2.      Makes conforming changes.

 

3.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

January 16, 2002