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Californians Facing Flurry of Fees

1 min readBy: Joseph Bishop-Henchman

The San Diego Union-Tribune catalogs a flurry of fees recently enacted or considered by the California Legislature. Some are quite convoluted, like this one:

[Sen. Christine Kehoe’s (D)] complex measure, which is supported by the oil industry, would extend fees and taxA tax is a mandatory payment or charge collected by local, state, and national governments from individuals or businesses to cover the costs of general government services, goods, and activities. es due to expire in the next few years. Instead, they would stop being collected at the end of 2023. Among those: a surcharge of up to $6 on vehicle registrations and a 75 cent levy on each new tire bought.

In return, the oil industry would no longer be forced to offer hydrogen fueling stops at gas stations. They would still have to comply with looming requirements to provide some alternative fuels and car battery-charging stations.

Another:

The most high-profile one, Assembly Bill 1500, would close a tax break for some out-of-state corporations and use the money for college scholarships for middle-class Californians.

In a late amendment last week, Democrats linked the tax to ending the controversial $150-a-year fire fee on rural residents.

Another:

Boat owners: Extra registration fees of between $10 and $20 to pay to fight the invasive quagga mussel, which threatens water supplies and the health of lakes. Assembly Bill 2443.

Another:

Mattresses: No final fee set, but mattress makers would be required to arrange proper recycling of old mattresses and can pass along costs.

Another:

Pharmacies: Would increase license fees $10 to defray oversight costs starting in 2014 for a program to combat prescription drug abuse. Fee would be dropped if other funding becomes available.

More about California here.

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