ATLANTA - A bill backing Gov. Sonny Perdue's suspension of half the state sales tax on home heating fuels for the coldest months of the year breezed through the House on Wednesday.

On a 169-2 vote, lawmakers approved House Bill 970, which slices the tax on natural gas to 2 percent from 4 percent from January to April and on propane from January to March. The measure, estimated to cost about $15 million, now moves to the Senate.

Both opposing votes came from Atlanta Democrats in safe districts.

Supporters of the bill said it would provide relief for consumers suffering from soaring prices of the fuels, a problem exacerbated by supply problems in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"We're not going to profit on the back of taxpayers with a windfall," said Rep. Jay Roberts, the Ocilla Republican who sponsored the measure for Mr. Perdue.

Critics ridiculed the size of the relief, which would amount to $5 to $10 for most consumers, and knocked Mr. Perdue for failing to come up with a comprehensive energy plan. They labeled the plan as little more than an election-year gimmick.

"This is a great campaign bumper sticker," said Rep. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta. "But this is no solution for Georgia families."