Bolques-Sponsored Bill Raises Car Rental Surcharge from $1.25 to $5 in Effort to Generate New Revenue For GVI

Sponsored by Senator Angel Bolques, the bill aims to generate up to $1 million annually by raising the car rental surcharge, with funds directed to the general fund to support essential government services and infrastructure improvements

The 35th Legislature has identified new revenue sources for the government, one of which will impact the cost of vehicle rentals. On Wednesday, members of the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriation and Finance voted to forward Bill 35-0272 to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary. The favorable vote was the first line of approval for the expansion of an existing revenue source through an increase in the Motor Vehicle Rental Surcharge. The bill was introduced by Sen. Angel Bolques, who explained that the surcharge will increase by $1.25 for a new total of $5.

He described the proposed increase as “a practical and necessary step to generate the revenue needed to support vital government services, operations, and infrastructure improvements.” Originally intended for the District Road Fund, an amendment was made to direct the collected surcharge to the territory’s general fund instead, where it will be able to sustainably support a “wide range of public services infrastructure improvements across the territory.”