The Arizona House approved a trio of bills this week designed to bring down fuel costs for drivers, with backers saying the measures will make a real difference for families and commuters, especially during the summer months when gas prices in the Phoenix area tend to spike.
The legislation was championed by House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby (R-AZ) and cleared the chamber along party lines.
All three bills now head to the Senate.
The centerpiece of the package, HB 2400, would suspend Arizona's 18-cent-per-gallon gas tax during the summer in Maricopa and Pinal counties. Those counties are currently required under federal air quality rules to use a specialized fuel blend that costs more to produce than standard gasoline.
A companion bill, HB 2401, would establish a recurring two-year review of fuel formulations in the state and require officials to report findings to legislative leaders, laying groundwork for potential long-term changes.
The third measure, HB 2696, would task the Arizona Commerce Authority with studying ways to lower fuel prices over the next two years, including whether new infrastructure like pipelines or in-state refineries could reduce Arizona's dependence on outside fuel sources.
Willoughby said the package reflects what lawmakers have been hearing directly from their constituents.
"Arizona families are struggling with rising costs, and the House Republicans are listening and taking action," she said. "We are passing bills that lower prices and help hardworking families keep more of what they earn. We heard Arizonans, and we delivered."
Willoughby said the bills also address a structural issue she believes has gone unaddressed for too long. "This package reduces costs during the most expensive summer months, when Arizona's special fuel blend is in place," she said.
"It also sets in motion the steps Arizona agencies should have taken years ago to free Arizonans from this boutique blend, including reviewing alternative options, documenting impacts, and working with the EPA to put meaningful alternatives on the table,” she continued. “If you commute across the Valley, run a small business, or are raising a family on a budget, these bills are for you."
A fourth bill, HB 2145, sponsored by Representative Gail Griffin (R-AZ), also passed the House. It would grant the Speaker of the House and the Senate President the authority to formally request an emergency fuel waiver from the federal government in the event of shortages.
