ATLANTA — The Senate has unanimously voted to keep in place a freeze on Georgia's gas tax.

Senate lawmakers voted 50-0 to support the suspension, which took effect July 1.

Gov. Nathan Deal issued an executive order in June halting an automatic increase linked to rising fuel prices, but lawmakers needed to sign off on the action.

The state gas tax had been set to rise 1.6 cents a gallon, as a result of a formula. It stayed instead at 12.9 cents a gallon, rather than rising to 14.5 cents a gallon. Deal aides say it's saving motorists an estimated $40 million in taxes.

Many Georgia counties impose an additional fee that's also pegged to gas prices.