S-4089               _______________________________________________

                                   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8432

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Senators Conner, Benitz, Murray, Rasmussen, Stratton, Hansen, Barr and DeJarnatt

Read first time 1/24/90 and referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.

WHEREAS, There is a need to assure that gasoline and petroleum products are readily available at fair prices to all consumers in Washington state; and

          WHEREAS, The prices paid by consumers for gasoline and petroleum products have a large impact on local economics and the welfare of the state; and

          WHEREAS, There is a great concern among citizens over recent state-wide fluctuations in consumer prices for gasoline and petroleum products and the higher prices paid by consumers in some geographical areas as compared to others;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That a Joint Select Committee on the Economic Impact of Consumer Petroleum Pricing is created; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the President of the Senate shall appoint six members of the Senate to the Committee, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint six members of the House of Representatives to the Committee, with each officer designating one of his or her appointees as a cochair; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Energy and Utilities, the Legislative Transportation Committee, and the Washington State Energy Office shall provide staff support for the Select Committee, with at least one lawyer from the House of Representatives staff and one lawyer from the Senate staff; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Select Committee may use the services of an outside consultant to assist in fulfilling its duties; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Select Committee has the power of subpoena, the power to administer oaths, and the power to issue commissions for the examination of witnesses in accordance with chapter 44.16 RCW; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Select Committee shall study the following topics:

          (1) The economic effects of petroleum pricing, including differential pricing and explanations of reasons for those differences;

          (2) The overall price of petroleum products;

          (3) Petroleum products marketing practices; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Select Committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the 1991 Regular Session of the Legislature; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature shall appropriate sufficient funds to the study participants to allow the Select Committee to fully and expeditiously perform its duties prescribed by this Resolution.