Peach Tree Times

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp did not waste much time signing into law a measure unanimously advanced by the state Senate calling for a temporary suspension of the state's gas tax.

With a American Petroleum Institute report showing that the state collects an excise tax of 28.7 cents per gallon, the Senate voted 55-0 to temporarily pause the tax as gas prices across the country continue to spiral upward, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

AAA reported that the national average price for a gallon of gas was $4.29 near the time of the Senate vote.

"I'm looking forward to signing this into law and to putting money back into the pockets of hardworking Georgians," Kemp said in a tweet. "We appreciate all in the Senate who voted with us on this important measure."

House Bill 304 suspends the tax at least through May 31, in the wake of domestic gas prices continuing to soar due to ongoing war in Ukraine, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. After first being introduced, the bill quickly sped through both chambers in just nine days, with the Georgia House passing it by a vote of 150-0.

With Georgians ranking 15th-highest nationally with a 55.95 cents-per-gallon tax, officials guess the tax suspension will cost the state approximately $160 million monthly, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

President Joe Biden recently announced a ban on all Russian oil imports as a response to its invasion of Ukraine, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

"We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy," Biden said during a press conference. "That means Russian oil will no longer be accepted at U.S. ports."