Atlanta

Kemp to sign legislation to suspend Georgia gas tax until end of May

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement Wednesday that he will sign a bill to temporarily suspend Georgia’s gas taxes.

Taxes will be suspended through May 31 as soon as Kemp signs HB 304.

Gas prices in metro Atlanta rose to their highest prices on record Wednesday, hovering around $5 a gallon.

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“In Georgia, the average price of a gallon of gas has increased from $2.59 to $4.06 (over 56%) since March of 2021,” Kemp’s office said in a statement. “Researchers further estimate that the average American household could spend an additional $2,000 a year on gas as a result of increases in fuel cost, on top of record-high inflation already impacting families.”

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Kemp said suspension of the gas tax will not effect his proposed tax refund, which he has promised will give $200 to each Georgian.

Lieutenant Gov. Geoff Duncan said he and the governor will work quickly to get the legislation signed as quickly as possible.

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“I applaud Governor Kemp for delivering bold leadership that will provide crucial relief for Georgians at the gas pump,” said Lieutenant Governor Duncan. “I look forward to working with Speaker Ralston and my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass this measure as a counterweight against the extreme rise in gas prices.”