Bill Text: NJ SR53 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges the Attorney General to investigate possibility of price-fixing in the sale of motor fuels.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-03-08 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [SR53 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SR53-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Urges the Attorney General to investigate possibility of price-fixing in the sale of motor fuels.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the Attorney General of New Jersey to investigate whether price-fixing in the sale of motor fuels is responsible for the recent escalation of motor fuel prices in this State.
Whereas, Motor fuels are an essential commodity for residents and businesses of this State and it is vital to the health, safety and welfare of these residents and businesses for motor fuels to be reasonably priced; and
Whereas, The national price of regular unleaded gasoline, during March 2011, averaged approximately $3.56 a gallon, which was substantially higher than the $2.09 a gallon that consumers paid on average for regular unleaded gasoline between 2000 and 2009; and
Whereas, The average price of regular gasoline in the United States in January 2010 was approximately $0.84 higher than the gasoline prices of January 2009; and
Whereas, Following the recent unrest in the Middle East, the average price of regular gasoline in the United States in April 2011 was approximately $.85 higher than the average price of gasoline in April 2010, with prices in New Jersey averaging $3.74, up from a price of $2.70 a year earlier; and
Whereas, These extraordinary price increases have caused great hardship for the residents of this State; and
Whereas, Sudden large increases in the price of motor fuels affect most severely the poor and those who are on fixed incomes; and
Whereas, These dramatic increases in motor fuels have produced a direct, serious, and substantial negative impact on both the New Jersey and national economies; and
Whereas, These exorbitant price increases for motor fuels during the past two years have also raised the specter that petroleum companies and speculators involved in the buying and selling of motor fuels are conspiring to increase profits, fix prices, and create artificial shortages at the expense of the public; and
Whereas, It is in the public interest for the Attorney General to investigate possible price-fixing in the sale of motor fuels in this State; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Attorney General of New Jersey is urged to undertake an investigation of whether price-fixing in the sale of motor fuels is responsible for the escalation and fluctuation of motor fuel prices in this State from January of 2009 to the present time and to report the results of the investigation to the Governor and Legislature at the earliest possible date.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the Attorney General.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Attorney General of New Jersey to undertake an investigation of whether price-fixing in the sale of motor fuels is responsible for the escalation and fluctuation of motor fuel prices in this State from January 2009 to the present time and to report the results of the investigation to the Governor and Legislature at the earliest possible date.
