COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — Ohio lawmakers have passed legislation that would temporarily suspend the state’s gasoline and diesel fuel taxes for 90 days.
Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster, announced the passage of House Bill 519. The measure would suspend Ohio’s 38.5-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax and 47-cent-per-gallon diesel tax. The legislation is expected to save Ohio drivers and businesses more than $725 million in fuel taxes.
Under the bill, the Motor Fuel Tax would be reduced to 0.0001 cent per gallon for accounting purposes. The provision is intended to prevent unintended tax consequences for certain border counties where neighboring states impose fuel taxes.
The legislation also provides state and local governments with money from existing budget surpluses to offset the lost fuel tax revenue. According to Schaffer’s office, the suspension would not delay highway construction or local road and bridge projects, and would not require money from the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund.
