WASHINGTON -- The Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act, or H.R. 1024, has garnered 40 co-sponsors to date, including a majority of House Ways and Means Committee members, which are considering the measure, Progressive Railroading reports.

Introduced to the House in early April by Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.), H.R. 1024 would repeal the 4.3-cent diesel-fuel tax imposed on railroads and inland waterway transportation providers. If passed, the bill would enable railroads to use funds earmarked for the fuel tax -- estimated at more than $170 million annually -- on infrastructure improvements.

A Senate companion bill, S. 661, currently has collected 12 co-sponsors.

The House and Senate bills are similar to legislation considered in previous congressional sessions. A bill to repeal the fuel tax last year passed Congress but was vetoed by President Clinton.

Although this year's bills are gaining some political steam, several rail labor unions oppose repealing the diesel tax because it may affect current wage negotiations with railroads. For example, the Rail Labor Division of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO May 10 sent a letter to all senators citing the legislation opposition of several labor organizations.