South Carolina General Assembly

116th Session, 2005-2006

H. 5011

STATUS INFORMATION

House Resolution

Sponsors: Rep. Altman

Document Path: l:\council\bills\gjk\21130sd06.doc

Companion/Similar bill(s): 5092

Introduced in the House on April 18, 2006

Adopted by the House on April 25, 2006

Summary: Gasoline or oil prices

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number

4/18/2006 House Introduced, placed on calendar without reference HJ12

4/20/2006 House Debate adjourned until Tuesday, April 25, 2006 HJ72

4/25/2006 House Adopted HJ154

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

4/18/2006

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE SENTIMENT OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THAT THE EVER INCREASING PRICES OF GASOLINE AND OIL PRODUCTS MAY CONSTITUTE UNFAIR OR UNLAWFUL PRICE GOUGING OR PRICEFIXING AND TO REQUEST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THIS STATE TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER OR NOT VIOLATIONS OF LAW HAVE OCCURRED.

Whereas, over the past year the price of gasoline at the retail pumps has increased by as much as one dollar per gallon; and

Whereas, in the small State of South Carolina at the price of close to three dollars per gallon for gasoline, this costs our state’s citizens approximately six billion dollars per year; and

Whereas, during the past year the increase per gallon in the retail price of gasoline has cost South Carolina consumers close to two billion dollars; and

Whereas, the cost of gasoline is taking dollars out of South Carolina that are desperately needed to build highways or improve our state’s economy; and

Whereas, demand for gasoline and oil in China and other developing markets does impact price, as does the uncertainty of supply and the reduction in United States refining capacity as a result of Hurricane Katrina; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina believes that this unacceptable situation should be investigated to ensure that only legitimate market forces are at work in regard to this increase. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives express the sentiment of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina that the ever increasing prices of gasoline and oil products may constitute unfair or unlawful price gouging or pricefixing and request the Attorney General of this State to investigate whether or not violations of law have occurred.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Attorney General of South Carolina.

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