Urges AG to investigate possibility of price-fixing in sale of motor fuels.

SR93

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 93

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� SHIRLEY K. TURNER

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

SYNOPSIS

���� Urges AG to investigate possibility of price-fixing
in sale of motor fuels.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Senate
Resolution

urging the Attorney
General to investigate whether price-fixing has contributed to the escalation
of motor fuel prices in March 2026.

Whereas,

Motor fuels are an essential commodity for residents and businesses of this
State, and it is vital to the health, safety, and welfare of these residents
and businesses for motor fuels to be reasonably priced; and

Whereas,

The average national price of regular unleaded gasoline on March 12, 2026 was $3.60
a gallon, which is substantially higher than the $2.95 a gallon that consumers
had been paying for regular unleaded gasoline just one month earlier; and

Whereas,

On March 12, 2026, regular unleaded gasoline was selling in New Jersey at an
average price of $3.51 a gallon, which is substantially higher than the $2.93 a
gallon that consumers in New Jersey had been paying for regular unleaded
gasoline just one month earlier; and

Whereas,

These extraordinary price increases have caused great hardship for residents of
this State, many of whom are already struggling because of the steadily
increasing cost of living; and

Whereas,

Sudden large increases in the price of motor fuels most significantly impact
individuals with a low income and those on fixed incomes; and

Whereas,

The dramatic increase in the price of motor fuels will have a direct, serious,
and substantial impact on both the New Jersey and national economy; and

Whereas,

While global events may have influenced the exorbitant increase in the price of
motor fuels, anticompetitive behavior by petroleum companies and speculators
involved in the buying and selling of motor fuels, such as conspiring to
increase profits, fix prices, and create artificial shortages at the expense of
the public, also can lead to exorbitant price increases; and

Whereas,

The public deserves transparency and accountability to ensure that
anticompetitive behavior is not contributing to the increased price of motor
fuel, and, accordingly, it is in the public interest for the Attorney General
to investigate possible price-fixing in the sale of motor fuels; now,
therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate of the State of New
Jersey:

���� 1.��� The Attorney General is
urged to undertake an investigation to determine whether price-fixing, or other
anticompetitive conduct, in the sale of motor fuels has contributed to the
escalation of motor fuel prices in March 2026 and is to report the results of
the investigation to the Governor and Legislature at the earliest possible
date.

���� 2.��� Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Secretary of the Senate to Attorney General.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution urges the Attorney
General (AG) to undertake an investigation to determine whether anticompetitive
conduct, such as price-fixing, has contributed to the increased cost of motor
fuel in New Jersey and throughout the United States as of March 2026.� The AG
is also urged to report the results of the investigation to the Governor and
Legislature at the earliest possible date.

���� The average price of gasoline
has increased 65 cents and 58 cents across the United States and in New Jersey,
respectively, over the past month.� These extraordinary increases cause
significant hardship for the residents of the State, especially those with low
incomes and those on fixed incomes.� Global events may have influenced the
exorbitant price increases in motor fuels; however, it is important for the
public to know whether price-fixing, or any other anticompetitive behavior, has
contributed to the increased prices.