A nearly $1 billion dollar transportation funding bill is on its way to Gov. Nathan Deal after a late night compromise is passed by the state House and Senate.

The two sides agreed to convert from a state sales tax on motor fuel to an excise tax of 26 cents per gallon for passenger vehicles and 29 cents for tractor trailers.

Semis would also be required to pay an impact fee of $50 to $100 based on weight.

“Those trucks are the ones doing the most damage to our roads; we felt like that was a small, nominal fee for them to pay to be able to ride on the roads,” says Rep. Jay Roberts, chair of the House Transportation Committee.

The bill also includes a new $5 hotel/motel fee to go towards transportation.

“People come into Georgia; they use our facilities, they use our roads and this is an opportunity to get some folks coming into our state to pay a portion of the cost of our infrastructure,” Senate Transportation Committee Chair Tommie Williams tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

But not all Republicans signed off on the compromise.  Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) was among several who voted against it.

“The plain language of the conference committee report makes it clear that it is a massive tax increase,” he says.

Sen. Mike Crane (R-Newman) didn’t mince words with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle during the final moments before the vote.

“Mr. President, isn’t it true that this is a unqualified midnight run on Georgia taxpayers,” said Crane.

“I think that is extremely offensive to every member of your colleagues,” Cagle shot back.

House Speaker David Ralston commended the work of the conference committee of three House members and three Senate members for reaching the compromise.

“We have done what many, many years of general assemblies have failed to do by passing something that is significant and meaningful,” he says.

Deal, who vowed to call a special session if lawmakers didn’t pass a bill that raised enough money for the maintenance and repair of the state’s roads and bridges, is expected to sign the measure.