TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer) which would require retail motor fuel merchants to post the price per gallon of cash and credit transactions to give customers full information was approved today by the full Senate.
“Too often people experience sticker shock when paying with a credit card at the fuel pump, especially given today’s escalating prices,” said Turner. “This consumer protection bill will force retail fuel merchants to be direct and up front with their costumers about the price difference between cash and credit transactions. Moreover, it will allow drivers to search for the best deal possible.”
The bill, S-847, would require a motor fuel dealer to display signs on premises and adjacent roadways, showing both the price per gallon for cash transactions and the price per gallon for payments made with a credit card. The bill takes effect four months after enactment, to give retailers an opportunity to comply with the signage requirement. Senator Turner noted that the bill is necessary due to the increase in the number of retailers who charge different prices for different methods of payment.
Under the bill and existing regulations, gas stations which violate the provisions of the bill would be subject to a fine of $1,000 for the first offense and not more than $3,000 for the second and any subsequent offense.
The bill now heads to the Assembly for further consideration.