STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Arizona House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby has introduced House Bill 2400 to eliminate the state’s 18-cent gasoline tax on the higher-cost fuel blend required in Maricopa and Pinal counties during the summer months of May through September.

“Because of federal requirements, families in Maricopa and Pinal counties are forced to pay more at the pump than the rest of Arizona,” said Majority Whip Willoughby. “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.”

Cleaner Burning Gasoline is more expensive to produce and transport than standard fuel, making it the costliest gasoline sold in Arizona during the summer months.

“In 2023, Phoenix drivers paid higher gas prices than Los Angeles,” Willoughby continued. “As California refineries shut down, supply constraints will increase—pushing prices higher at a time when families are struggling with rising costs. Arizona now ranks as the sixth most expensive state in the nation for gas.”

“Republicans are focused on affordability,” she said. “Our Majority Plan is about upholding the American Dream and making sure the cost of living doesn’t keep climbing out of reach for working families.”

Republican lawmakers have worked with federal officials to explore lower-cost fuel blends, but Washington’s air-quality rules have so far blocked affordable alternatives. The bill includes a provision to make local governments whole as a result of the reduction in the Highway User Revenue Fund, ensuring rural communities can continue maintaining roads and streets while the tax exemption is in place.

“We’ll continue pursuing long-term solutions, but Arizona families need relief now,” Willoughby added. “That’s why I’m proposing HB 2400 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.”

Julie Willoughby is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 13 in Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes. She also serves as the House Majority Whip. Follow her on X at @JWilloughbyAZ.