1924-S AMH GRAN H2600.1

SHB 1924 - H AMD 313 Adopted 3-20-91

By Representative Grant

     Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

     "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds and declares that the distribution and sale of motor vehicle fuels in the state of Washington vitally affects the general economy of the state, the public interest, and the public welfare.  The legislature further finds that there is public concern over whether there is effective competition in the motor vehicle fuels marketplace and whether there is fairness in the pricing and distribution of motor vehicle fuels in the state.  A factor in the public concern is variations in motor vehicle fuel prices that appear to be unrelated to comparative marketing costs."

     "NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     (1) The joint select committee on motor vehicle fuels marketing is created and shall consist of ten members,  three from the majority party and two from the minority party, from each of the senate and the house of representatives.  There shall be cochairs, and the president of the senate shall appoint the senate members and senate chair, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the house members and house of representatives chair.

     (2) The staffs of the senate and house of representatives committees on energy and utilities and transportation shall provide staff support for the joint select committee.  State agencies, including the departments of transportation and ecology, the state energy office, and the attorney general, shall provide information as requested by the joint select committee.  The joint select committee has the power of subpoena."

     "NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     (1) The joint select committee shall investigate motor vehicle fuels pricing and distribution in the state of Washington.  In particular, the joint select committee shall compare, over a length of time and at various locations around the state, the prices charged by oil companies as follows:  Retail motor vehicle fuel prices charged by oil company-owned and operated gas stations and wholesale prices charged by oil companies for motor vehicle fuel sold to independent gas station operators and to independent wholesale distributors of motor vehicle fuel.  For consistency in the comparison, the marketing costs of company-owned and operated gas stations, independent gas stations, and independent wholesale distributors shall be investigated.

     (2) The joint select committee shall determine whether there is discrimination by oil companies in the distribution of motor vehicle fuel.  Also, the joint select committee shall determine whether there is unfair motor vehicle fuel pricing resulting in lessening of competition in the motor vehicle fuel marketplace.  In particular, oil company marketing practices shall be evaluated as to whether they make it more difficult for small business operators to enter, remain in, or expand their business in the motor vehicle fuels marketplace."

     "NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The joint select committee shall report its findings, including legislative recommendations, if any, to the senate and house of representatives committees on energy and utilities by December 1, 1991.  This act expires June 30, 1992."

SHB 1924 - H AMD

By Representative Grant

     In line 1 of the title, after "fuels;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "creating new sections; and providing an expiration date."