In addition to a variety of problems created by scorching summer desert heat, Maricopa and Pinal Counties have a motor fuel cost/availability issue.
Over the last few years there have been several attempts by Republicans in the state legislature to bring relief to residents of these two counties, but all have thus far ended in failure.
This year it is Arizona State Representative Julie Willoughby who is leading the charge to alleviate this condition, which she described as follows:
“Because of federal requirements, families in Maricopa and Pinal counties are forced to pay more at the pump than the rest of Arizona. During the summer, these counties can only sell Cleaner Burning Gasoline—a boutique fuel blend refined in limited quantities, primarily in California. That limited supply drives up costs, and Arizona drivers pay the price.”
Our high dependency on California gasoline, combined with California’s disdain for fossil fuels and resultant production cutbacks, have made our problem worse every year. Rep. Willoughby has stated her plan of action this way:
“We’ll continue pursuing long-term solutions, but Arizona families need relief now. That’s why I’m proposing HB2400 to suspend the state gas tax on Cleaner Burning Gasoline from May through September, and advancing House Concurrent Memorial 2008 urging Congress to do the same with the federal gas tax.”
House bill HB2400 has three major provisions:
- Suspends the 18 cent per gallon motor vehicle fuel tax in Maricopa and Pinal counties from May 1 to October 1 each year.
- Has provisions to ensure rural communities can continue maintaining roads and streets while the tax exemption is in place.
- Contains an emergency clause, which means that if HB2400 garners a supermajority in both chambers, it will go into effect immediately upon being signed by Hobbs.
Obtaining Hobbs’ signature could be a challenge, because Democrats have shown no support for the relief that this bill would bring to working families.
A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION IS BEING SOUGHT THIS YEAR
In addition to the temporary solution that a fuel tax holiday would provide, legislators are looking for the permanent fix that only a more stable and reliable gasoline supply would afford. It must come in the form of a local refinery. To that end, Republican Representative Pamela Carter has introduced house bill HB4025.
If enacted, it will establish the Gas and Petroleum Refinery Study Committee (Committee) and outline members, duties and reporting requirements.
Even if everything goes according to plan, it will be a long time before a drop of gasoline from this refinery enters a fuel tank in Arizona, but the process must start somewhere.
The result we have seen so far indicates that the Democrats will again fight lower gas prices with all their might.
The first indication of this was the vote in the House’s Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee, where HB4025 passed with all YES votes coming from Republicans and all NO votes coming from Democrats.
PREVIOUS YEARS ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM
YEAR 2024 EFFORT:
SB1064, introduced by Senator Justine Wadsack, sought to alleviate the problem by addressing the supply issue. It would have petitioned the EPA to allow more formulations to be approved, so that when there was a shortage a more abundant blend could be used.
This bill died in the house when it was held and no third reading vote took place.
YEAR 2025 EFFORT:
HB2300 was introduced by Republican Representative Leo Biasiucci. It started out as a bill dealing with electric vehicle charging stations, but was amended to deal with the gasoline issue via a strike everything amendment.
It also addressed the issue by going the fuel formulation choice route.
It would have expanded the formulation choices and it would have allowed individuals besides the governor to petition the EPA for waivers, so that other formulations could be used when shortages caused spikes in fuel prices.
HB2300 failed when the final house vote went 27-31-2 as the result of several Republicans joining Democrats in their NO vote. A subsequent reconsideration vote never took place.
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