Office of Congressman Don Young - Comments

February 23, 2010 Mr. Victor Mendez Administrator Federal Highway Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Administrator Mendez: I am writing on behalf of my constituents in Alaska who are frustrated by the difficulty of registering their vehicles due to requirements that Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) payment documentation is required to be submitted in person. 23CFR Part 669 requires under § 669.9 that evidence of payment of the HVUT is being obtained by the state as a condition of registration for all vehicles subject to such tax. Currently, this regulation effectively requires individuals to register their vehicles in person to show written documentation of HVUT payment. In Alaska, this evidence of documentation is required to complete Alaska DMV Form 846, the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Declaration. In Alaska, other vehicles can be registered online, however vehicles subject to HVUT cannot. I therefore urge that changes be made in the regulations, along with those changes currently being enacted in FHWA-2009-0098, to allow states to register vehicles subject to HVUT online. The simplest way to achieve this goal would be to allow states to access an online database of HVUT payments. Another simpler, though less efficient option, would be to allow states to call the IRS and confirm by voice whether or not HVUT has been paid. Making these changes would save all parties involved a significant amount of money in paper, labor, logistics, and time. I thank you for your assistance with this issue. Sincerely, DON YOUNG Congressman for all Alaska