SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As gas costs rise by the day, California lawmakers are proposing a $400 refund to help offset prices at the pump. The proposal calls for distributing $9 billion from the state’s budget surplus directly to Californians, who are also seeing their everyday living expenses increase due to inflation.

“It will go far in helping with price increases not only at the pump but at the grocery store and on our utility bills. Californians are hurting and they need relief,” Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, said at an event at the state capital Thursday.

To qualify, residents don’t need to own or lease a car. They don’t have to meet an income requirement. Everyone who pays taxes in the state would be eligible.

For most vehicles, the $400 rebate is equivalent to a one-year gas tax holiday, the legislators said. The lawmakers are proposing the refund as an alternative to rolling back the 51-cent-per gallon state gas tax that helps fund road improvements.

California has the highest-priced gas in the country. It now averages $5.804 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.com. Prices have risen daily for 24 consecutive days, according to the American Automobile Association.

Irwin was one of 21 state assemblymembers who signed a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom and the legislative leadership Thursday outlining their plan. Cottie Petrie-Norris, D-Irvine; Jesse Gabriel, D-San Fernando Valley; and Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens, were among those who signed.