Maryland Lawmakers Pass Emergency Gas Tax Holiday Bill

MARYLAND — Maryland drivers could soon see some relief at the gas pump.

Maryland lawmakers in both the House and Senate approved a bill Thursday that would halt the state's gas tax for 30 days.

"With record-high inflation, this comes at a time when Marylanders’ pocketbooks are being pinched. I’m looking forward to presenting the bill to the governor," Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson tweeted following the bill's passage.

Gov. Larry Hogan is expected to sign the gas relief bill into law, having previously supported ongoing efforts in the legislature to suspend automatic increases in the gas tax.

SEE ALSO:

• Gas Tax "Holiday" Bill Advances; Leaders Hope Motorists Will See Lower Fuel Prices

"People across the country are being squeezed by surging inflation on everything from gas to groceries⁠—Marylanders, especially our retirees, deserve and need this relief," Hogan said in a statement last week.

The bill would go into effect following Hogan's signature.

It's expected to save Maryland drivers about 36 cents per gallon at the pump.

The 30-day tax holiday will cost the state approximately $94 million, legislative analysts told Maryland Matters.

AAA reported Thursday that the average price of gasoline in Maryland is $4.21 per gallon, down two cents from the day before and currently eights cents lower than the national average.