Utah Lawmakers Propose Bill to Lower Gas Prices

Legislation aims to increase fuel supply and temporarily cut gas tax to provide relief for drivers

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Utah Legislature is considering a new bill that would take steps to lower gas prices in the state. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Cal Roberts, would help streamline processes to increase fuel supply by either bringing more pipelines to Utah or working with refineries to expand their manufacturing capacity. The legislation would also establish a temporary gas tax reduction, lowering it from $0.379 per gallon to $0.319 per gallon, a more than 15% reduction, beginning on July 1 and ending on Dec. 31.

Why it matters

The move comes amid an interstate dispute between Utah and Idaho over a potential restructure of Utah's gas tax. The bill is seen as a compromise to address concerns from both states and provide relief for drivers facing high fuel prices in the region.

The details

The bill would help increase fuel supply in Utah by fast-tracking pipeline projects or working with refineries to expand capacity. It would also establish a temporary gas tax reduction for this year, lowering the rate from $0.379 per gallon to $0.319 per gallon, a more than 15% cut. The state plans to use $10 million to $12 million from its general fund to cover the gap until the long-term supply solutions take effect.

  • The temporary gas tax reduction would begin on July 1, 2026 and end on December 31, 2026.
  • The bill is scheduled to be heard by the Utah House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Cal Roberts

A Republican state representative from Draper, Utah who sponsored the bill to lower gas prices.

Mike Schultz

The Republican Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, who has been involved in negotiations with Idaho over the gas tax issue.

Spencer Cox

The Governor of Utah, who has been engaged with legislative partners on the gas price legislation.

Mike Moyle

The Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives, who proposed a joint memorial opposing Utah's original gas tax legislation.

Enterprise Products

A gas and oil company that operates a pipeline in Grand County, Utah that could potentially increase its capacity to help lower fuel prices.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The issue in the market is that you've had California Democrats regulate refineries out of existence.”

— Cal Roberts, State Representative (Utah News Dispatch)

“If we can get an additional 30,000 barrels in that pipeline over what is there today and get it right into the Wasatch Front, that has the ability to drop gas prices significantly for the state of Utah.”

— Mike Schultz, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives (Utah News Dispatch)

“We've been very engaged with our legislative partners as well, and I remain very hopeful and optimistic that we will land that bill in a place where we can all be friends and do what's good for the people of Utah and good for the people of Idaho and the western United States as well.”

— Spencer Cox (Utah News Dispatch)

What’s next

The bill is scheduled to be heard by the Utah House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Wednesday, February 19, 2026. If passed, the temporary gas tax reduction would take effect on July 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This legislation represents a compromise between Utah and Idaho to address rising gas prices in the region. By increasing fuel supply and temporarily lowering the gas tax, the bill aims to provide short-term relief for drivers while pursuing longer-term solutions to stabilize fuel prices in the western United States.