30-14-802. Purpose. The legislature recognizes that independent and small dealers and distributors of retail motor fuel are vital to a healthy, competitive marketplace and are unable to survive financially in competition with subsidized, below-cost pricing at the retail level by dealers and distributors who have other sources of income. The legislature believes that subsidized, below-cost pricing is a predatory practice that is not conducive to fair trade. The legislature finds that below-cost pricing laws are effective in protecting independent and small retailers and wholesalers in other jurisdictions from subsidized pricing, which is inherently unfair and destructive, reduces competition in the motor fuel marketing industry, and is a form of predatory pricing. The purpose of this part is to prevent and eliminate predatory pricing of retail motor fuel.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 499, L. 1991.