SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As California state lawmakers return to work in a special session to debate cutting gas prices, California Republicans are introducing a new package of bills they say will help drivers save at the pump.
Republican Asm. Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) says California's gas prices are way above every state in the nation. AAA shows the state's average gas price is currently $4.75 per gallon. In an effort to address this, Lackey has proposed four out of seven new bills as part of a package to address the cost of gas in California. ABX2-2 would suspend the gas tax for one year, saving $0.60 per gallon.
"This $0.60 savings per gallon of gas would go a long way in helping," said Lackey.
Meanwhile, Assembly Bill X2-5 would provide a $100 rebate to drivers.
ABX2-3, introduced by Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), would exempt gas from California's Cap-and-Trade Program to save $0.30 per gallon.
ABX2-7, introduced by Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach), would increase transparency on gas prices by comparing prices by state.
"We want to provide relief in a meaningful way. We want to provide a relief to the consumer," said Lackey.
On the final day of the regular legislative session, Governor Gavin Newsom called a special session on gas prices. Newsom has repeatedly blamed big oil companies for the high cost at the pump. He says he wants oil companies to keep reserves, avoiding supply issues that cause price spikes.
"This is the time of year that we have 'planned' and unplanned refinery maintenance, which spikes the cost of gasoline and spikes the profits of those that are doing the maintenance," said Newsom on Sept. 4.
Lackey doesn't agree with the governor.
"This is also déjà vu from what happened back in March 2023. He said at that time that he had brought big oil to its knees. Do we see any relief? No, it doesn't work," said Lackey.
A spokesperson for the Governor's Office provided ABC10 with this statement:
"This sounds like Big Oil’s wish list. Nothing in these proposals will stop the enormous spikes in gasoline prices that bring huge profits to the oil industry and misery for consumers. The Governor is focused on real solutions that protect Californians from getting gouged at the pump."
Newsom has also said gas tax funds are needed for infrastructure investments and there's no requirement for oil companies to reduce the price of gas, even with a drop in state gas taxes.
"We're not wanting to make this permanent. Let's give it a try. It's worked in other states. Why wouldn't we want to try it," asked Lackey.
Governors in Arizona and Nevada have written a letter to Newsom saying they are concerned about mandating refinery reserves and that it would raise the cost of gas for their own communities. They've asked to be a part of any discussion like this moving forward.
Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas has led this summer's special session. A spokesperson for his office would not provide ABC10 with a comment in response to Assembly Republicans package of bills to address the gas taxes.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: California has the highest gas prices in the country. Here's what Newsom is doing
