By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Rebuild Alabama Act passed the Alabama State Senate today by a margin of 28-6. The bill, which was passed by the Alabama House of Representatives on Friday, now heads to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk for approval.

The six senators who voted against the bill were Republicans Will Barfoot, Jim McClendon, Dan Roberts, Shay Shelnutt and Larry Stutts. Sen. Vivian Davis Figures was the lone Democrat to dissent. Senator Priscilla Dunn (D-Birmingham) was absent from the vote.  

As previously reported, the Rebuild Alabama Act would raise fuel taxes 10 cents per gallon over the next three years and include additional tax measures that include annual fees for electrical and hybrid vehicles.

If the Governor signs it, the bill would raise Alabama’s gas tax by six cents in 2019, from 18 cents to 24 cents, and raise it two cents per year in 2020 and 2021. Beginning in 2023, the gas tax would begin being adjusted yearly according to the national highway construction cost index.

The bill passed the House by a margin of 84-20 with 18 of 77 House Republicans dissenting while two of the 28 House Democrats voted against the bill.