HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1637        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 183

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

James J. Dwyer

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to ensure fairness and competition for consumers.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1637        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 183

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act to ensure fairness and competition for consumers.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 3A of Chapter 93E of the general laws is hereby amended by inserting the following new section:

Section 3B. 

Section 1.  Definitions.

(1) The term “retail dealer” shall mean any person operating a service station, filling station, store, garage or other place of business for the retail sale of motor fuel or automotive lubricating oil or the sale of or dispensing of motor fuel for delivery into the service tank or tanks of any motor vehicle which is propelled by an internal combustion motor other than such a motor vehicle belonging to the person owning or operating said place of business.

(2) The term “motor fuel” shall mean (a) a light distillate of petroleum or allied substance with suitable volatility and other characteristics to be used as a fuel for operating internal combustion engines, whether or not it is mixed with other materials, or (b) any other product or liquid when sold for use as a fuel in any type of internal combustion engine furnishing power to operate a motor vehicle.

Section 2.  No retail dealer engaged in the retail sale of gasoline to the motoring public in the commonwealth shall coordinate and partnership with a grocery store, retail store or wholesale club offer any discount, promotion, premium, coupon, give-away, or rebate in the operation of the business that results in a price per gallon of gasoline below cost.

Section 3.  A grocery store, retail store or wholesale club may offer a discount, promotion, premium, coupon, give-away, or rebate for retail purchases in said stores when the discount, promotion, premium, coupon, give-away, or rebate is a direct result of the consumers purchase of gasoline.