Colorado’s House Transportation and Energy Committee approved Senate Bill 108, also known as FASTER (an acronym for Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery) on Feb. 17. Prior to the vote, committee members sat through more than five hours of pro-and-con testimony from 51 witnesses and scrutiny from Republican committee members.

The bill, which aims to generate more than $250 million annually and was sponsored by Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton, Colo., and Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, Colo., includes a $2 car rental fee, possible road tolls and vehicle registration fees.

Several car rental operators are opposed to the fee, citing that it will hurt business and cause more layoffs. Additionally, operators added that the fee would not be beneficial to customers who often rent vehicles while their own cars are being repaired.

The bill passed through the committee on a 7-5 straight party line vote.