Committee refers Virginia toll‑cap bill to appropriations after fiscal concerns

Delegate Mundon King told the committee HB 2368 would create a monthly cap of $200 on toll fees for Virginia residents and provide flexibility for people who receive public assistance. King said the cap aims to reduce a burdensome monthly cost for commuters who “are paying much more because we’re required to use [the express lanes] every day.”

Supporters, including Rena Hicks of Freedom Virginia, urged approval on equity grounds. Opponents included David Skiles, testifying for Transurban through the Vector Corporation; Skiles said express lanes are dynamically tolled, noted federal highway rules on maintaining corridor speed, and warned that concession agreements and financing models complicate imposing a cap.

Committee members pressed fiscal questions. One member said a fiscal-impact statement showed an annual cost of about $110 million; members discussed administration and how the change could affect public‑private concession payments and transit subsidies tied to express‑lane agreements. After debate, a committee member moved to report HB 2368 and refer it to the Appropriations Committee to address fiscal impact; the motion carried on a recorded vote that the chair announced as 5‑2 (later recorded as 5‑3 in the roll call).