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Kemp Extends GA Fuel Tax Halt, Offers $1.2 B Rebates

6/2/2026

42 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Kemp Extends Tax

Governor Brian Kemp extended Georgia’s motor fuel excise tax suspension from 12:00 a.m. May 20 to 11:59 p.m. June 2.
The tax stays at 33.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and 37.3 cents for diesel.
Kemp announced one-time rebates of up to $250 for singles, $375 for heads of household, $500 for joint filers, and earmarked $8 billion for taxpayers.
House Bill 1000 adds over $1 billion in rebates, raising total refunds to about $1.2 billion.

Summary

Kemp Reinstates Tax

The $0.33-per-gallon tax reinstated at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, will lift Georgia’s average pump price from $3.80 toward $4.29.
Georgia’s roughly 5,800 convenience stores earn 65 % of sales from fuel, so the price rise will affect many small retailers.
The FTC, DOJ and DOE are increasing petroleum-market oversight because Iran-related crude disruptions raise wholesale costs.

Summary

McQueen Cuts

Fuel prices rose to $78 per fill-up from $53 after the motor-fuel tax suspension.
Food-truck owner Tika Carter called the increase a major hit.
Commuter Rai McQueen, who drives 40 miles each way to downtown Atlanta, says he will cut back trips.
Georgia is covering the tax-revenue shortfall with its surplus while AAA advises drivers to compare prices and avoid aggressive driving.

History

Historical Context

President Jimmy Carter began deregulating U.S. oil prices on April 5 1979 after the Iranian Revolution drove crude prices up, eventually pushing West Texas Intermediate 250 % higher by 1980. The surge prompted federal price-control reforms and consumer relief measures. Today, Governor Brian Kemp’s extension of Georgia’s motor-fuel tax suspension and $1.2 billion rebate echoes that 1979 response, while the FTC, DOJ and DOE monitor price spikes.

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Kemp Extends Tax

Governor Brian Kemp extended Georgia’s motor fuel excise tax suspension from 12:00 a.m. May 20 to 11:59 p.m. June 2.
The tax stays at 33.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and 37.3 cents for diesel.
Kemp announced one-time rebates of up to $250 for singles, $375 for heads of household, $500 for joint filers, and earmarked $8 billion for taxpayers.
House Bill 1000 adds over $1 billion in rebates, raising total refunds to about $1.2 billion.

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