Illinois lawmakers are working to quickly overturn the unpopular Commercial Distribution Fee, a 36 percent surcharge added to truck registrations in the state.

HB3851 would end the Commercial Distribution Fee after 1 year. The bill, introduced Oct. 15 by Rep. William Black, R-Danville, has already picked up 16 co-sponsors and is now before the Rules Committee.

Tuesday, Nov. 18, lawmakers conducted a procedural maneuver designed to speed the bill’s appearance in the committee. That maneuver passed on a voice vote. The bill must make it out of committee, move to the House floor, and pass both the House and Senate before the end of the veto session Nov. 20.

The Commercial Distribution Fee was created earlier this year as part of SB841, which was signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich June 20. Since its passage, it has sparked protests by truckers, and many in the industry have said they plan to move out of the state.