Rep. Zimmerman: Governor Answers Lawmakers' Call to Provide Diesel Fuel Relief for Farmers

Indiana is seeing its highest ever recorded price for diesel fuel at almost $7 a gallon.

INDIANAPOLIS - State Rep. Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) welcomed Gov. Mike Braun's announcement on Wednesday suspending special fuel restrictions for off road diesel after he and fellow lawmakers urged the governor to provide relief for Hoosier farmers during harvest season.

In a letter sent to the governor, Zimmerman and his colleagues noted Indiana is seeing its highest ever recorded price for diesel fuel at almost seven dollars a gallon, with some areas of the state topping the seven-dollar mark. Farmers are disproportionately impacted by these rising costs with standard agricultural operations during the harvest process using thousands of gallons of diesel.  

"These high costs are hitting local farmers and agricultural businesses hard, which is why we took action to call on the governor to provide aid," Zimmerman said. "As our farmers work to bring in the harvest, this tax relief will help to keep costs down and support our critical agriculture industry."

The governor suspended Indiana's gas usage tax starting in April to address rising costs and reduce the strain on millions of Hoosiers, expanding the relief in May to include the gas excise tax. Those efforts led to Indiana having the lowest gas prices in the nation. Diesel prices, however, have remained high which is placing a significant burden on farmers during harvest season.

To mitigate the pressures put on farmers, Zimmerman, along with 51 other legislators, called for Gov. Braun to allow farmers to use off road diesel fuel instead of highway diesel fuel in semi-trucks until January 1, 2027, after harvest is completed. The governor's recent declaration provides diesel tax relief for farmers and continues the suspension of gas use and excise taxes for all Hoosiers until Nov. 4, 2026.

Zimmerman encourages constituents with any concerns regarding the diesel tax to contact his office at in.gov/h67 or call 317-232-9783.