Gov. Kevin Stitt has directed Oklahoma agencies to pause enforcement of state taxes, regulations and fines related to the use of red-dyed diesel in farm vehicles for 120 days.
The Sept. 28 directive is intended to ease costs for farmers and ranchers heading into harvest season.
Red-dyed diesel is typically used in farm equipment and other off-road machinery and is sold without the motor fuel taxes normally charged for highway use. Texas governor’s office
“As their costs increase, so do our prices at the grocery store,” Stitt said. “The state should ease burdens where it can in order to provide relief for the industry, and for Americans trying to feed their families.”
Stitt instructed the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to suspend enforcement actions involving dyed diesel use in highway vehicles during that period.
Oklahoma joins Nebraska and Texas in taking steps to temporarily ease state restrictions on dyed diesel.
The White House is also considering allowing broader use of red-dyed diesel to help lower fuel costs, Reuters reported Sept. 28, citing two people familiar with the discussions. That proposal remains under consideration. Reuters report
Stitt also directed the Oklahoma Tax Commission to seek federal penalty relief from the Internal Revenue Service. His announcement did not indicate that the IRS had approved that request.
