INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An influential conservative lawyer is leading a lawsuit against Indiana, accusing the state of illegally collecting roughly $1 billion in fees from truckers across the country.
Attorney Jim Bopp filed the lawsuit Friday in Indianapolis on behalf of the Small Business in Transportation Coalition, a trucking trade group. Bopp contends Indiana lacks the authority under state law to collect $100 million annually in fees from nearly 400,000 truckers and distribute them to other states.
Indiana handles registrations and fees on behalf of 41 states under a federally authorized compact. It allows interstate truckers to pay fees once a year.
Representatives of Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration declined a request for comment by The Associated Press.
Bopp helped draft the Republican Party platform last year.
