HR 3: General Assembly; motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes; ratify Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order

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Discussed in meetings (9)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House Ways & Means Committee, June 18, 2026

   From 0:13:09 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HR 3 would ratify the governor’s temporary suspension of motor fuel and diesel fuel tax collections following a May 15 executive order declaring an emergency because of consumer price shocks. The sponsor explained that legislative ratification was needed because the suspension occurred after the regular session. The sponsor estimated that it saved Georgians approximately $100 million, in addition to $390 million from an earlier 60-day suspension. A committee member asked whether events involving Iran could lead to another suspension and require lawmakers to return. The sponsor said another suspension was possible but declined to speak for the governor, explaining that this resolution addressed only the suspension that had ended and that any future suspension would be determined later. The committee approved a motion to pass the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard. The chair thanked the sponsor and described the measure as providing additional affordability for Georgians.

2. House Rules Committee, June 20, 2026

   From 0:16:25 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented HR 3 as ratifying the governor’s temporary suspension of motor fuel and diesel fuel tax collections following a May 15 executive order declaring a state of emergency because of acute consumer price shock. The sponsor said Georgia law required legislative ratification because the suspension occurred while the General Assembly was not in session. The sponsor said the suspension had saved Georgians almost $100 million, in addition to $390 million saved through an earlier 60-day suspension. No committee members asked questions or spoke against the resolution. The committee approved a do-pass motion without stated opposition, then approved placing the resolution on that day’s House floor calendar under a modified structure, also without stated opposition.

3. Senate floor session, June 20, 2026 (legislative day 3)

   From 2:39:13 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Read and Referred)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: A House message announced adoption of the resolution ratifying the governor’s executive order suspending collection of motor-fuel and diesel-fuel taxes. A senator moved to prevent amendments to the resolution. The Senate approved that motion 33 to 19, and the chair assigned the resolution to Finance. The transcript shows no Senate vote on final passage.

4. House floor session, June 20, 2026 (legislative day 3)

   From 2:00:17 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, Special Session, p. 114

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HR 3 would ratify the governor’s May 15, 2026, executive order temporarily suspending motor fuel and diesel tax collection in response to consumer price increases. The sponsor explained that legislative approval was needed because the suspension occurred while the General Assembly was not in session. The sponsor said it had saved Georgians almost $100 million, in addition to almost $390 million from an earlier 60-day suspension. A member asked about opportunities for future suspensions. The sponsor said the governor had consulted legislative leaders on previous suspensions and assumed that consultation would continue if another suspension were considered, but emphasized that this resolution addressed only the existing order. The House adopted the resolution, 161 to 0, and ordered immediate transmission to the Senate without objection.

5. Senate Rules Committee, June 22, 2026

   From 0:03:56 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The Finance Committee chair explained that HR 3 would ratify an additional two-week fuel-tax suspension ordered by the governor after the session, following earlier suspensions. A committee member asked how much drivers would save and confirmed the two-week duration. The Finance Committee chair estimated monthly savings of $180 million to $200 million, putting the two-week savings near $100 million. The Rules Committee chair said previous suspensions had saved residents about $1 billion but also removed that amount from infrastructure funding. The chair said surplus funds had replaced that money and encouraged doing so again. The designated floor presenter said this suspension had saved Georgians almost $100 million and urged ratification. After a member selected the resolution for the calendar, another member asked whether it would be considered that day. The chair clarified that the calendar was for the fifth legislative day, the following day. The committee unanimously approved the motion to place the resolution on that calendar.

6. Senate Finance Committee, June 22, 2026

   From 0:16:09 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate sponsor said HR 3 would ratify the governor's temporary suspension of motor fuel and diesel tax collection. The sponsor estimated savings above $100 million, in addition to $360 million from a previous 60-day suspension. One member emphasized relief for families facing higher gasoline prices and also raised income and property tax reductions. The sponsor said property taxes were separate from this measure. A second member suggested savings were closer to $180 million. The chair explained that the roughly $100 million estimate covered a two-week suspension, rather than a full month. Another member supported the suspension, citing May inflation of 4%, a 23.5% year-over-year increase in energy prices, national gasoline prices approaching $5 a gallon and savings of 33 cents per gallon in Georgia. That member attributed much of the energy price increase to the war with Iran and questioned extending relief, saying the bill's engrossed status prevented amendments. The sponsor responded that a separate bill could propose another suspension, or the governor could act again if needed and the budget allowed, followed by legislative ratification. No amendment was offered. The committee approved the bill unanimously by a show of hands, with no numerical count stated.

7. Senate floor session, June 23, 2026 (legislative day 5)

   From 1:26:20 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Third Read)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor explained that the resolution would ratify the governor’s suspension of fuel taxes. The sponsor said the suspension had saved Georgians almost $100 million and noted that the legislature had taken similar action several times in recent years. No questions or opposing speeches followed. The Senate adopted the resolution by 50 to 1.

• Read aloud: House floor session, June 18, 2026 (legislative day 2), 1:14:25
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, June 22, 2026 (legislative day 4), 0:36:50

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