“A bill to require the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study on conduct related to oil and gas prices, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in coordination with state attorneys general as appropriate, to conduct a study under FTC Act authority (15 U.S.C. 46(b)) on anti-competitive, collusive, or other conduct by oil and gas companies and markets, including consumer prices paid; the study must analyze (1) companies' use of financial resources that do not expand fuel supply (e.g., reduced production investments or stock buybacks) and (2) whether such conduct results in inflated consumer costs or price gouging, delays fuel supply, impacts supply-increasing investments, or restricts alternative fuels or vehicle technologies. The FTC must submit a report with study results and legislative or administrative recommendations to specified congressional committees (Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Senate Energy and Natural Resources; House Energy and Commerce; and relevant Appropriations subcommittees) within one year of enactment and annually thereafter for two years. This section exempts the study's information collection from the Paperwork Reduction Act; authorizes the FTC to appoint up to 50 additional personnel without regard to civil service laws; and authorizes appropriations of $15 million for each of FY2027 and FY2028.