Gov. Brian Kemp has extended Georgia’s motor fuel excise tax suspension through Nov. 30, keeping the tax off gasoline and diesel through the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, and through the midterm elections, where gas prices have become a major issue.
The extension continues a state of emergency declared over global market volatility. Kemp announced the action in consultation with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns, citing continued high fuel prices.
The suspended state excise tax is 33.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon for diesel, according to the governor’s office.
“With a major holiday coming up and fuel prices still at high levels, I am proud to take this step to keep more money in Georgians’ pockets,” Kemp said. “Our commitment to fiscal responsibility and stewarding taxpayer dollars has allowed us to act when needed, whether by suspending the gas tax or returning billions to taxpayers through income tax refunds and property tax relief. I’m grateful to our partners in the General Assembly for their support and for standing with us to budget conservatively for times such as these.”
The fuel tax suspension began Sept. 28. The governor’s office said Georgia’s average price for regular gasoline has remained well below the national average since the suspension, citing AAA.
Earlier executive orders also suspended state weight limits on commercial vehicles and penalties for using off-road “dyed” diesel on roads, according to the announcement.
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