Senator Zeldin’s Gas Price Disclosure Legislation Passes Senate’s Consumer Protection Committee

Lee M. Zeldin

April 30, 2012

Albany, NY- Senator Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I- Shirley), Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee, announced that his gas price disclosure legislation, S.7087, passed the committee today by a 9-0 vote. The legislation will now move to the Senate floor for full consideration.

This bill would require gas stations that charge more than a 7% per gallon differential between cash and credit prices to display at least the higher price on the street level sign. The legislation would take effect within 30 days of being signed into law.

Senator Zeldin started drafting this legislation after reports surfaced across Long Island and the NYC Metro region of gas stations charging differences of at least $1, and upwards of $2, between the cash price on the street sign and the non-disclosed credit price.

“This legislation is important as we are coming into the summer travel months and will help end the misleading practices that some bad actors are using to lure consumers into their stations from the street using deceptive pricing schemes. Once in front of the pump, consumers then learn of the scam when they notice that non-advertised credit prices are as much as 1 to 2 dollars per gallon more,” said Senator Zeldin.

“While the majority of gas station owners and operators respect their consumers, we have an obligation to help reveal the deceptive pricing schemes of the bad actors,” concluded Senator Zeldin. “Nothing is more powerful than informed consumers deciding to either pay cash, or give their business to a different gas station.”

Senator Zeldin and his office have been in contact with Assembly counterparts to help advance this initiative.