HB4119 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 14140 BDD 49230 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB4119

Introduced 10/03/05, by Rep. Bill Mitchell

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act
815 ILCS 505/2Z	from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 262Z
815 ILCS 505/10a	from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 270a

Creates the Consumer Protection Fuel Price Gouging Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any motor-fuel vendor to sell or offer to sell motor fuel within the State at a price that is increased because of the vendor's knowledge of a perceived disruption in the motor-fuel market. An increase in the price of motor fuel is rebuttably presumed to be based upon the vendor's knowledge of a perceived disruption in the motor-fuel market if: (1) the increased amount charged over any 7-day period represents a gross disparity between the average price at which the motor fuel was readily obtainable within the vendor's trade area during the previous 45 days; and (2) the increase in the amount charged is not attributable to cost factors to the vendor, including replacement costs, taxes, and transportation costs incurred by the vendor. Provides that a violation of this Act constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, but nothing in this Act creates a private cause of action in favor of any person damaged by a violation of this Act. Requires the Attorney General to investigate a motor-fuel vendor if the Attorney General receives 5 or more complaints against that motor-fuel vendor alleging violations of this Act. Preempts home rule. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning motor fuel.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Consumer Protection Fuel Price Gouging Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Distributor" has the definition set forth in Section 1.2 of the Motor Fuel Tax Law.

"Motor fuel" has the definition set forth in Section 1.1 of the Motor Fuel Tax Law.

"Motor-fuel vendor" or "vendor" means a distributor, supplier, receiver, reseller, or retailer.

"Receiver" has the definition set forth in Section 1.20 of the Motor Fuel Tax Law.

"Reseller" has the definition set forth in Section 1.21 of the Motor Fuel Tax Law.

"Retailer" means a person who holds himself or herself out as being engaged (or who habitually engages) in selling motor fuel at retail.

"Supplier" has the definition set forth in Section 1.14 of the Motor Fuel Tax Law.

Section 10. Unconscionable motor-fuel prices prohibited.

(a) It is unlawful for any motor-fuel vendor to sell or offer to sell motor fuel within the State at a price that is increased because of the vendor's knowledge of a perceived disruption in the motor-fuel market.

(b) An increase in the price of motor fuel is rebuttably presumed to be based upon the vendor's knowledge of a perceived disruption in the motor-fuel market if:

(1) the increased amount charged over any 7-day period represents a gross disparity between the average price at which the motor fuel was readily obtainable within the vendor's trade area during the previous 45 days; and

(2) the increase in the amount charged is not attributable to cost factors to the vendor, including replacement costs, taxes, and transportation costs incurred by the vendor.

(c) A price increase approved by an appropriate government agency is not a violation of this Section.

Section 15. Construction with the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act; mandatory investigations.

(a) A violation of this Act constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and the Attorney General may take any action consistent with the provisions of that Act. Notwithstanding Section 10a of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, however, nothing in this Act creates a private cause of action in favor of any person damaged by a violation of this Act, but individuals may make a complaint to the Attorney General alleging a violation of this Act.

(b) If the Attorney General receives 5 or more complaints against any motor-fuel vendor, then the Attorney General must investigate that vendor to determine whether the vendor has violated the provisions of this Act.

Section 20. Home rule. A unit of local government, including a home rule unit, may not regulate the price of motor fuel in a manner that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.

Section 900. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act is amended by changing Sections 2Z and 10a as follows:

(815 ILCS 505/2Z) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 262Z)

Sec. 2Z. Violations of other Acts. Any person who knowingly violates the Automotive Repair Act, the Automotive Collision Repair Act, the Home Repair and Remodeling Act, the Dance Studio Act, the Physical Fitness Services Act, the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act, the Illinois Union Label Act, the Job Referral and Job Listing Services Consumer Protection Act, the Travel Promotion Consumer Protection Act, the Credit Services Organizations Act, the Automatic Telephone Dialers Act, the Pay-Per-Call Services Consumer Protection Act, the Telephone Solicitations Act, the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act, the Cemetery Care Act, the Safe and Hygienic Bed Act, the Pre-Need Cemetery Sales Act, the High Risk Home Loan Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, subsection (a) or (b) of Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Tax Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, subsection (a) or (b) of Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Use Tax Act, the Electronic Mail Act, paragraph (6) of subsection (k) of Section 6-305 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, Article 3 of the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act, the Automatic Contract Renewal Act, the Consumer Protection Fuel Price Gouging Act, or the Personal Information Protection Act commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-561, eff. 1-1-04; 93-950, eff. 1-1-05; 94-13, eff. 12-6-05; 94-36, eff. 1-1-06; 94-280, eff. 1-1-06; 94-292, eff. 1-1-06; revised 8-19-05.)

(815 ILCS 505/10a) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 270a)

Sec. 10a. Action for actual damages.

(a) Any person who suffers actual damage as a result of a violation of this Act committed by any other person may bring an action against such person. The court, in its discretion may award actual economic damages or any other relief which the court deems proper; provided, however, that no award of punitive damages may be assessed under this Section against a party defendant who is a new vehicle dealer or used vehicle dealer within the meaning of Chapter 5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or who is the holder of a retail installment contract within the meaning of Section 2.12 of the Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Act, unless the conduct engaged in was willful or intentional and done with evil motive or reckless indifference to the rights of others. Proof of a public injury, a pattern, or an effect on consumers and the public interest generally shall be required in order to state a cause of action under this Section against a party defendant who is a new vehicle dealer or used vehicle dealer within the meaning of Chapter 5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or who is the holder of a retail installment contract within the meaning of Section 2.12 of the Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Act. Proof of such public injury may be shown by any one of the following factors:

(1) Violation of a statute that has a public interest impact.

(2) Repeated acts prior to the act involving the plaintiff.

(3) Potential for repetition.

(b) Such action may be commenced in the county in which the person against whom it is brought resides, has his principal place of business, or is doing business, or in the county where the transaction or any substantial portion thereof occurred.

(c) Except as provided in subsections (f), (g), and (h) of this Section, in any action brought by a person under this Section, the Court may grant injunctive relief where appropriate and may award, in addition to the relief provided in this Section, reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party.

(d) Upon commencement of any action brought under this Section the plaintiff shall mail a copy of the complaint or other initial pleading to the Attorney General and, upon entry of any judgment or order in the action, shall mail a copy of such judgment or order to the Attorney General.

(e) Any action for damages under this Section shall be forever barred unless commenced within 3 years after the cause of action accrued; provided that, whenever any action is brought by the Attorney General or a State's Attorney for a violation of this Act, the running of the foregoing statute of limitations, with respect to every private right of action for damages which is based in whole or in part on any matter complained of in said action by the Attorney General or State's Attorney, shall be suspended during the pendency thereof, and for one year thereafter.

(f) At any time more than 30 days before the commencement of trial, a party, who is a new vehicle dealer or used vehicle dealer within the meaning of Chapter 5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or who is the holder of a retail installment contract within the meaning of Section 2.12 of the Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Act and who is defending a claim under this Act, may serve upon the party seeking relief under this Act an offer to allow judgment to be taken against the defending party to the effect specified in the offer with costs then accrued. If within 10 days after service of the offer, the offeree serves written notice that the offer is accepted, either party may then file the offer and notice of acceptance together with proof of service of the notice; the court shall then enter judgment. An offer not accepted shall be deemed withdrawn and evidence of the offer is not admissible except in a proceeding to determine costs. When a party seeking relief under this Act does not accept an offer filed with the clerk and served upon the attorney for that party more than 30 days before the commencement of trial and when that party fails to obtain a judgment in an amount more than the total offer of settlement, that party shall forfeit and the court may not award any compensation for attorney's fees and costs incurred after the date of the offer.

(g) At any time more than 30 days before the commencement of trial, a party who is seeking relief under this Act from a new vehicle dealer or used vehicle dealer within the meaning of Chapter 5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or from the holder of a retail installment contract within the meaning of Section 2.12 of the Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Act may serve the dealer or holder an offer to allow judgment to be taken against the dealer or holder to the effect specified in the offer with costs then accrued. If within 10 days after service of the offer, the offeree serves written notice that the offer is accepted, either party may then file the offer and notice of acceptance together with proof of service of the notice; the court shall then enter judgment. An offer not accepted shall be deemed withdrawn and evidence of the offer is not admissible except in a proceeding to determine costs. When a dealer or holder does not accept an offer filed with the clerk and served upon the attorney for the dealer or holder more than 30 days before the commencement of trial and if the party seeking relief against a dealer or holder obtains a judgment in an amount equal to or in excess of the offer amount, the party seeking relief shall be paid interest on the offer amount at the rate as provided in Section 2-1303 of the Code of Civil Procedure from the date of the offer until the judgment is paid.

(h) At least 30 days prior to the filing of an action under this Section, a party who is seeking relief shall serve a written notice of the nature of the alleged violation and demand for relief upon the prospective party, who is a new vehicle dealer or used vehicle dealer within the meaning of Chapter 5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or who is the holder of a retail installment contract within the meaning of Section 2.12 of the Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Act, against whom such action will be commenced. Any person receiving such a demand for relief may, within 30 days of service of the demand for relief, submit a written offer of settlement, which offer is to be exclusive of attorney's fees, to the party serving the notice and demand. The party who is seeking relief must certify in any cause of action that the notice and demand was served upon the named defendants and the substance of their response, if any. If the offer of settlement is rejected in writing by the party who is seeking relief, then, in any subsequent action, the court shall deny any award of attorney's fees and costs requested by the party seeking relief under this Act incurred after the rejection of the written offer of settlement, if the judgment is less than the amount contained within the offer of settlement. All written offers of settlement under this subsection shall be presumed to be offered without prejudice in compromise of a disputed matter.

(i) This Section does not apply to any violation of the Consumer Protection Fuel Price Gouging Act.

(Source: P.A. 91-270, eff. 1-1-00.)

Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.