Oregon legislators are deliberating on a new bill—House Bill 3647—that would obligate gas stations to more visibly display their gas prices. This move is proposed in a bid to protect consumers from what have been described as predatory pricing strategies, as reported by KGW. The legislation would enforce the prominence of price signage both at the pump and on signs easily viewed from the streets.
In defense of this legislation, State Rep. Lesly Munoz (D-District 22) contended, "When gas prices are visible and transparent, consumers can compare costs, shop around for prices, and choose what's best for them and understand what it is that they're paying for before arriving at the pump." Highlighting the struggles of her constituents, she added, "Families are struggling to get by. I have heard from constituents that they are having tough decisions about how much groceries they can afford to buy, and if they will have enough gas money to get to and from work," as reported by KGW during her testimony before the House Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.
The legislative push comes after an accumulation of consumer complaints about insufficient price transparency at some service stations, notably an establishment in Woodburn, where prices were alleged to be not displayed for motorists. This issue has brought forth debates on whether the solution should be spearheaded by local ordinance or handled by statewide law, as indicated by Gabriel Zirco, vice president of WSCO Petroleum, in comments documented by Statesman Journal. Zirco suggested that the City of Woodburn or Marion County could pass an ordinance about the situation instead of implementing a state law.
A work session for the bill was scheduled for April 3 at 1:00 p.m. in hearing room F at the State Capitol, according to the Statesman Journal.
