ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — As fuel costs continue to soar, the Georgia House of Representatives has approved a 60-day suspension of the state gas tax.

Legislators on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed an amendment to add the suspension to House Bill 1199.

Only four representatives voted against amending the tax bill, a previous version of which passed the House and Senate. The new version now heads back to the Senate.

State Rep. John Carson, R-Marietta, moved to add the amendment.

“I think this is going to give much-needed relief to Georgians sooner rather than later,” said Carson.

Fuel prices have spiked since U.S. and Israeli military forces launched strikes on Iran last month. To help ease prices, the White House is temporarily lifting key limits to shipping oil and gas.

Last week, Gov. Brian Kemp told reporters he was watching the markets before making any decision on suspending the gas tax.

Carson said he doesn’t know whether Kemp will sign the amended version of HB 1199.

Atlanta News First reached out to the governor’s office Wednesday to see whether he supports the new amendment. In response, a spokesperson sent the following statement:

“The Governor is always actively working to find ways to support hardworking Georgians, including this step alongside the legislature to keep more money in their pockets. This follows the passage of a fourth tax refund and builds on multiple previous suspensions of the state gas tax, saving families over $10 billion since 2021.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Gov. Brian Kemp signs budget including $2 billion in income, property tax relief

Kemp has suspended the gas tax three times. He suspended it in 2022 in response to high gas prices caused by the war in Ukraine. In 2023, he suspended the tax because inflation was at a 40-year high. In 2024, Kemp suspended it in response to Hurricane Helene.

“Today’s passage of House Bill 1199 is a direct reflection of the House’s continued leadership in addressing affordability for citizens across the state,” House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, said in a statement Wednesday.

Burns added, “By suspending the state motor fuel tax for 60 days, we are delivering meaningful, timely relief to millions of Georgia drivers and families when and where it’s needed most.”

“‘Affordability’ is not just a buzzword. We all have to work towards this,” said Rep. Akbar Ali, D-Lawrenceville.

“Anything the state can do to provide some temporary relief right now at the pump, I think is critically important,” said Rep. Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville.

Drivers are eagerly waiting for the latest gas tax suspension to pass through the proper channels.

“It’s kind of crazy,” said Zachary Inyang, who drives his car for school and to visit family.

“It’s getting out of hand. It’s hard, you know. Something’s got to give,” said Tom McGee, who said he drives upwards of 300 miles a day traveling around the state for work.

Drivers’ wallets are taking the unavoidable hit, especially for those who paid $4.69 a gallon for premium Wednesday at the QuikTrip on Northside Drive in West Midtown.

“It stopped at $71.81,” said Inyang. “It’s definitely not normal. Normally I pay about $50 for a full tank.”

At the BP on Piedmont and Pharr in Buckhead, drivers were price-shocked Wednesday at $4.49 a gallon.

“I didn’t even pay attention to the price,” McGee said. “So, I put the nozzle in, went inside to get some things, and come out of here and seen $50 on there. I wasn’t expecting that. Then I looked up and seen the price. I wasn’t expected that either.”

The relief is something several drivers said they would welcome.

“But man, come on, give us a break,” McGee pleaded. “You know it’s hard enough living just the daily – grocery, water, air, gas, it’s hard enough. Give us a break on one end. It would be greatly appreciated.”

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