House rejects Republican gas tax holiday amendment

Maryland drivers won't get temporary relief from high gas prices as lawmakers vote down GOP proposal.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 12:19am

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The Maryland House of Delegates has rejected a Republican amendment to the state budget proposal that would have implemented a monthlong gas tax holiday. Democratic lawmakers criticized the plan as a "gimmick" that would cost the state $110 million in lost revenue for road and infrastructure maintenance.

Why it matters

With gas prices continuing to rise in Maryland, the rejected gas tax holiday amendment leaves drivers without any immediate relief from the high costs at the pump. The debate highlights the political tensions around how to address the economic burden of soaring fuel prices.

The details

The Republican amendment proposed suspending Maryland's 46-cent-per-gallon gas tax for 30 days, which they estimated would save drivers around $7 per fill-up. However, Democratic lawmakers argued this would negatively impact the state's Transportation Trust Fund and the ability to maintain roads, bridges, and highways. Democrats pushed for a similar gas tax holiday in 2022 when prices spiked due to the Russia-Ukraine war, but the state was able to quickly recover the lost revenue at the time.

  • The Maryland House of Delegates voted down the Republican amendment on March 26, 2026.
  • Maryland's gas tax is currently set to automatically increase on July 1, but a separate Republican amendment to prevent that increase was also rejected.

The players

Joseline Peña-Melnyk

The Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates who announced the results of the vote on the Republican gas tax holiday amendment.

Antonio Dixon

A Maryland driver who described the high gas prices as "outrageous" and said he's considering getting a bicycle instead of driving.

Anne Kaiser

The Democratic Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee who called the Republican plan a "gimmick".

Ashanti Martinez

The Democratic House Majority Whip who also referred to the Republican amendment as a "gimmick".

Christopher T. Adams

A Republican delegate representing Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore who disagreed with calling the gas tax holiday proposal a "gimmick".

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What they’re saying

“To say it's a gimmick is a little disingenuous.”

— Christopher T. Adams, Republican Delegate, District 37B

“We just voted for a gimmick? I disagree.”

— Mike Griffith, Republican Delegate, District 35A

“The biggest impact you're going to see is to the State Highway Administration. You are impacting our ability to maintain those roads, bridges and highways around the state.”

— Mark Edelson, Democratic Delegate, District 46

“If we want gas prices to go down, end the illegal war. I think our Republican colleagues should be sending that message to Republicans in D.C. so that we can get greater affordability in our state and not introducing a 30-day gas moratorium.”

— Gabriel Acevero, Democratic Delegate, District 39

What’s next

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The takeaway

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