The Oklahoma Senate amended legislation on May 14 to ensure that state residents would see lower gasoline prices if the federal government suspends the federal gasoline tax.
This move follows President Donald Trump’s recent statement that he wants Congress to suspend the federal gas tax as a way to help Americans facing high fuel costs. The issue came to light after Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall and Senator Grant Green identified an old provision from the 1990s. This provision would automatically increase Oklahoma’s state fuel tax by the same amount as any reduction in the federal gas tax, effectively canceling out any intended savings for drivers.
To address this, senators adopted an amendment to House Bill 1370 that repeals what they called outdated trigger language. The change is designed so consumers will directly benefit from any suspension of the federal gas tax.
“I commend Senator Hall and Senator Green for digging into this issue, working with the Oklahoma Tax Commission and identifying a solution that will allow Oklahomans to receive meaningful relief at the pump,” Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton said. “While some in the House spent the week posting online that they were ‘waiting’ on the Senate, senators were focused on finding practical ways to lower costs for Oklahoma families. The Senate has done its work, and I urge the House to take up this measure immediately so Oklahomans can benefit if Congress acts to suspend the federal gas tax.”
The next steps depend on action by members of Oklahoma’s House of Representatives.
