TAC meeting minutes - January 2026

Technical Advisory Committee on Road Usage Charge meeting

Michigan Department of Transportation
Office of Aeronautics
2700 Port Lansing Road
Lansing, MI 48906 

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026
1-2:30 p.m. EST

Members present:

Meeting notes:

• Introductions of the TAC
• Background – Patrick McCarthy
  • Previous Road User Charge (RUC) Study – This study was produced by Office of Passenger Transportation and is available online.
  • Report produced by MDOT on EV impacts to transportation revenues. Includes a summary of what other state agencies have done.
  • Appropriation and boilerplate – $7.65M appropriation for RUC. Includes the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and requires we complete this study by December 2026.  This will take more time to do thoroughly, and we don’t want to rush the process. We will pursue an extension until December 2027.
  • Previous attempt to secure a federal SIRC grant – In the past we applied for this grant to assist with funding the RUC study.  We were unsuccessful in receiving the grant last year. We are still watching for additional funding options.
• Goals and Expectations – Paul McDonald
  • Our first goal is submitting the Request for Proposal (RFP) and selecting a consultant that has prior experience with this topic so we can tap into what other states have discussed.  Clarified the pilot/study’s purpose was not to define legislation and/or how revenue should be allocated should a RUC be implemented.  Information being gathered by the pilot/study would be provided to the Legislature who would use the information in determining whether RUC makes sense for the SOM.
• RFP for Consultant support
  • Draft RFP was shared with the TAC prior to the meeting. A few changes were made to the RFP.  Removing the technical aspect of selecting a consultant to allow more flexibility.
  • John Peracchio commented that the RFP was nicely written and commends MDOT on the things covered.
  • Denise Donohue commented that feedback will vary depending on region, vehicle reliability, so maybe the focus groups be moved up to the beginning to clarify words and terminology now verses in the end.  It will help with communication to the public.  Removing task steps would be helpful as well.
  • Paul McDonald concludes the RFP is good to move forward.
• Volunteers for scoring
  • Paul McDonald suggested only a couple of individuals volunteer for scoring the RFP. Denise Donahoo, John Peracchio and Bari Wood volunteered.  Patrick McCarthy will represent the MDOT consultant selection review team.
• Confirm future meetings
  • Would like to postpone the meetings to start in April to allow time for the RFP and to bring a consultant on board.  Start in April and conduct monthly.  We will provide Teams virtual options for those unable to attend in person for the TAC only.  We will send a poll to determine the best times to set the recurrence of this meeting.  Time will be 1:00-2:30 pm and location will depend on availability.
  • We need to work with the budget office to help extend the deadline – Lance volunteered to assist with that.
• Public comment
  • There were no public comments.

Meeting was adjourned by Paul McDonald.