Braun extends gas tax suspension; farmers permitted to use off-road diesel during harvest

Submitted by Office of Gov. Mike Braun

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Governor Mike Braun renewed Indiana’s statewide energy emergency and extended his suspension of the state’s Gasoline Use Tax and Gasoline Excise Tax through Nov. 4, continuing uninterrupted relief for Hoosiers from high gas prices.

Gov. Braun is also delivering more relief for farmers by suspending the special fuel restrictions for dyed diesel. Farmers will now be able to use dyed diesel for any farm-related activities. This is a direct response to concerns raised by the farming community and will help ease that burden.

“Affordability is my top priority, and my gas tax suspensions have delivered immediate tax relief and some of the cheapest gas in America for Hoosier families,” Gov. Braun said. “I’m delivering relief for Hoosier farmers by lifting special fuel restrictions to help ease the burden, and providing relief from high gas prices to keep more money in Hoosiers’ pockets and make life more affordable.”

The renewal follows continued disruptions to the global oil supply, including recent Houthi drone attacks in Saudi Arabia that shut down the East-West Pipeline, which accounts for 7 percent of the world’s oil supply. Houthi military advances in Yemen also threaten oil shipments through the Red Sea, while the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to disrupt crude oil supplies and has left Russia’s refining capacity near its lowest level this century.

These disruptions have realigned the global oil supply chain and placed continued pressure on fuel prices.

The renewed declaration will take effect Oct. 6, following the expiration of the current energy emergency. It will keep both state gas taxes suspended without interruption through Nov. 4 in all 92 counties.

Gov. Braun first suspended the Gasoline Use Tax in April and expanded the relief in May to include the Gasoline Excise Tax. His continued action to suspend the gas taxes have provided Hoosier families additional breathing room to make ends meet while protecting funding for state and local infrastructure projects.

Speaker Huston commends Gov. Braun’s action

Huston

“I appreciate the Governor’s continued efforts to keep gas prices affordable for Hoosiers,” Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said. “Indiana’s strong financial position gives us the flexibility to provide meaningful tax relief and help keep costs down for working families. We’ve also been concerned about the impact of rising diesel prices on Indiana farmers, and I’m glad we’re working with the administration to provide additional relief during the critical harvest season.”

Speaker Huston recently joined 51 other state legislators in urging Governor Braun to allow Hoosier farmers to use off-road diesel fuel, which is not taxed, for agricultural operations until the end of harvest season. The letter can be viewed here.