(Annapolis, MD) Delegate Warren Miller of Howard County today announced a bill to repeal Maryland price-floor requirements on gasoline and reduce consumer prices at the pump.
The current law, enacted in 2001, creates a minimum price at which gasoline may be sold. Gas stations may not legally sell below this minimum price. Retailers are prohibited from selling below-cost or engaging in price wars.
Under Miller's bill, these prohibitions would be removed and dealers would set their own prices. The new bill allows the free market economy to regulate prices as opposed to using artificial price controls. "Greater competition among gas stations means lower prices for Marylanders," says Miller.
Miller expects wide support for this measure. He has already received numerous inquiries regarding his bill and has signed on eight other delegates as co-sponsors. "This is a non-partisan issue," he said, "After Hurricane Katrina, gas prices were much higher in Maryland than in neighboring states. We need this law to protect Maryland from price gouging."
Miller's bill is entitled "Business Regulation - Motor Fuel - Below Cost Sales" and is filed as House Bill 127. The full text of the bill can be found online at http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/billfile/hb0127.htm.