To prohibit certain transfers or assignments of franchises, and to prohibit certain fixing or maintaining of motor fuel prices, under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 23, 1999

Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to prohibit the transfer or assignment of leased marketing premises during the franchise term unless the franchisor has first: (1) made a bona fide offer to the franchisee at least 45 days before the proposed transfer or assignment; or (2) offered the right of first refusal (of at least 45 days' duration) to the franchisee regarding an offer made by another to acquire the franchisor's interest in the premises. Declares that it shall be a violation of the Act for a refiner or distributor to fix or maintain motor fuel retail prices at a retail outlet supplied by that refiner or distributor, unless such outlet is also operated by the refiner or distributor.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Wynn, Albert Russell [D-MD-4] · D–MD

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

7 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 3, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Feb 23, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Feb 23, 1999
Introduced in House
Feb 23, 1999
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Feb 23, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.811 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.811, 106th Congress: To prohibit certain transfers or assignments of franchises, and to prohibit certain fixing or maintaining of motor fuel prices, under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/811

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-02-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr811/BILLS-106hr811ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-15T18:51:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.811 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.811 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.811, 106th Congress: To prohibit certain transfers or assignments of franchises, and to prohibit certain fixing or maintaining of motor fuel prices, under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/811

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-02-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr811/BILLS-106hr811ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-15T18:51:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.811 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.811 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.811, 106th Congress: To prohibit certain transfers or assignments of franchises, and to prohibit certain fixing or maintaining of motor fuel prices, under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/811

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-02-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr811/BILLS-106hr811ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-15T18:51:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.811 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.811 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.811, 106th Congress: To prohibit certain transfers or assignments of franchises, and to prohibit certain fixing or maintaining of motor fuel prices, under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/811

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-02-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr811/BILLS-106hr811ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-15T18:51:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.811 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.