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TO EXPRESS THE SENTIMENT OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THAT THE EVER INCREASING PRICES OF GASOLINE AND OIL PRODUCTS MAY CONSTITUTE UNFAIR OR UNLAWFUL PRICE GOUGING OR PRICE-FIXING AND TO REQUEST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THIS STATE TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER OR NOT VIOLATIONS OF LAW HAVE OCCURRED.
Whereas, over the past year the price of gasoline at the retail pumps has increased by as much as one dollar per gallon; and
Whereas, in the small State of South Carolina at the price of close to three dollars per gallon for gasoline, this costs our state's citizens approximately six billion dollars per year; and
Whereas, during the past year the increase per gallon in the retail price of gasoline has cost South Carolina consumers close to two billion dollars; and
Whereas, the cost of gasoline is taking dollars out of South Carolina that are desperately needed to build highways or improve our state's economy; and
Whereas, demand for gasoline and oil in China and other developing markets does impact price, as does the uncertainty of supply and the reduction in United States refining capacity as a result of Hurricane Katrina; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina believes that this unacceptable situation should be investigated to ensure that only legitimate market forces are at work in regard to this increase. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives express the sentiment of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina that the ever increasing prices of gasoline and oil products may constitute unfair or unlawful price gouging or price-fixing and request the Attorney General of this State to investigate whether or not violations of law have occurred.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Attorney General of South Carolina.
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