The state Senate unanimously affirmed Tuesday a decision by Gov. Nathan Deal to block an increase in the state gas tax.

The bill now goes back to Deal, who is expected to sign it. The House passed the bill last week.

Deal in late June signed an executive order suspending the tax hike, which normally kicks in automatically. The tax, at 20.4 cents per gallon, would have increased 1.6 cents per gallon.

The freeze, which lasts until the end of the year, required legislative approval.

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State Rep. James Burchett, R-Waycross, drops a pile of paper to celebrate the end of the legislative session at the House of Representatives in the Capitol in Atlanta on Sine Die, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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