(Columbia)- Legislation calling for a temporary suspension of the state gas tax is one step closer to becoming law.

The House passed a bill Thursday, lifting the tax from October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. Governor Sanford proposed backed a summer 2006 suspension.

The state gas tax accounts for about 16 cents per gallon. Some consumers worry that gas stations will not pass the savings along to consumers.

"I think it will be a combination of the two," said Bob Walkup of Columbia, who believes stations will pocket some of the additional profits.

After investigating post-Katrina price gouging, the attorney general's office says it is unlikely that will happen.

"What Attorney General McMaster found was that 99.9% of the gas stations in this state are honest businesses run by honest retailers who are doing the right thing," said spokesperson Trey Walker.