Ohio motorists are set to receive a temporary break from state motor-fuel taxes after Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 519 into law Thursday morning.

The legislation temporarily reduces Ohio’s taxes on gasoline and diesel for a 90-day period. The reduction is expected to take effect Sunday, October 4, three days after DeWine signed the bill.

Ohio currently collects 38.5 cents per gallon on gasoline and 47 cents per gallon on diesel fuel.

For perspective, 38.5 cents per gallon amounts to about $5.78 on a 15-gallon gasoline purchase, assuming the full reduction is reflected in the retail price.

The legislation uses approximately $725 million from Ohio’s General Revenue Fund to replace motor-fuel tax revenue lost during the 90-day period. Gas-tax revenue normally helps fund state and local road and bridge construction and maintenance.

House Bill 519 was approved by the Ohio House and Senate Wednesday before being signed by DeWine Thursday.

The measure was passed with an emergency clause, allowing the temporary fuel-tax provisions to take effect without the normal waiting period. The fuel-tax reduction is scheduled to begin three days after the governor’s signature.

The legislation also contains provisions related to motor-vehicle theft, including restrictions involving electronic devices used while committing certain vehicle theft offenses. The enrolled bill's title also provides for temporary motor-fuel tax changes and appropriations to offset the lost revenue.