Bill Text: NJ S2818 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Establishes "Working Group to Study Pricing of Motor Fuels by Retail Dealers."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-12-21 - Approved P.L.2023, c.189. [S2818 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S2818-Amended.html
[Second Reprint]
SENATE, No. 2818
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JUNE 9, 2022
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Assemblyman JAMES J. KENNEDY
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Greenstein and Pou
SYNOPSIS
Establishes "Working Group to Study Pricing of Motor Fuels by Retail Dealers."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended on December 11, 2023 by the Senate pursuant to the Governor's recommendations.
An Act concerning the pricing of motor fuels in New Jersey.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. New Jersey residents and visitors to the State, along with consumers across the country, face fluctuating prices when purchasing motor fuel.
b. It is essential to the financial well-being of consumers to ensure that retail dealers in the business of dispensing motor fuels do not establish excessive prices for the purchase of motor fuels.
c. 2[The development of a working group to monitor] A more robust understanding of2 the pricing of motor fuel 2[is intended to] will2 protect New Jersey residents and visitors to the State 2[from] by identifying legitimate retail pricing factors and practices, which may help to curtail or avoid2 abusive practices by retail dealers.
2. a. There is hereby established the "Working Group to Study Pricing of Motor Fuels by Retail Dealers."
b. It shall be the duty of the working group to 1examine1:
(1) 1[examine]1 the practices of retail dealers in the pricing of motor fuels dispensed in the State; and
(2) 1[recommend policies and practices the State can implement in response to price gouging by retail dealers] how competition and market conditions impact pricing practices1.
3. a. The working group shall 2[consist of nine members to be appointed by the Attorney General. One shall]2 be 2chaired by2 the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, 2[which is]2 in the Department of Law and Public Safety, 2[who shall chair the working group; four members shall be individuals who investigate price gouging for the Office of Consumer Protections in the Division of Consumer Affairs; and four] and2 shall 2[be] include such members as may be designated by the Attorney General, including but not limited to2 individuals who investigate pricing of motor fuel for the Office of Weights and Measures 2in the Division of Consumer Affairs2.
b. The 2[members of the]2 working group shall be 2[appointed] organized and commence the performance of its duties pursuant to section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)2 within 2[30] 602 days following the date of enactment of 2[this bill.
c. Any vacancy in the membership of the working group shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made] P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill2.
4. The findings of the working group shall be issued 2[at] no later than2 the end of the 2[third] sixth2 month following the 2[appointments of the members] organization2 of the working group to the Governor and to the State Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1).
5. As used in this act, "motor fuel" and "retail dealer" shall have the same meaning used in P.L.1938, c.163 (C.56:6-1 et seq.).
6. This act shall take effect immediately and expire following the issuance of the report required pursuant to section 4 of 2[this act, unless, upon the authorization of the Attorney General, an extension is granted for the working group to further exam the pricing of the motor fuels by retail dealers] P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)2.
