Bill > H3508

This bill establishes a special commission to study sales-below-cost (SBC) laws specifically related to gasoline sales in Massachusetts. The commission will be composed of legislative leaders, including house and senate chairs of the economic development committee, and four experts in economics and statistical methods, appointed with consultation from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The commission's primary task is to comprehensively examine the feasibility of eliminating or modifying current SBC laws by conducting an in-depth economic analysis using an econometric fixed-effects model with state panel data. They will investigate the impact of these laws on gasoline wholesale and retail prices, market concentration, and the number of gasoline sellers. The study will compare Massachusetts' approach with states that do not have SBC laws and evaluate potential consumer savings. The commission will hold at least four public hearings and is required to submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to various legislative committees within 12 months of the bill's passage. Their recommendations may range from completely retaining the current law, adjusting the gasoline price floor, to fully repealing the existing SBC laws.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3508