Fair and Transparent Gas Prices Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would require the Federal Trade Commission to study whether oil and gas company behavior is driving up fuel prices and limiting supply. It focuses on anti-competitive or collusive conduct and on corporate choices like reducing production investment or conducting stock buybacks.
Show full summary
- Consumers: The study would examine whether industry actions are inflating pump prices or delaying more fuel supply for households.
- Oil and gas companies and investors: It would analyze whether companies are using cash for stock buybacks or other practices instead of increasing production investments.
- Alternative fuels and vehicle technology: The study must assess whether industry conduct restricts the availability, accessibility, or affordability of alternative fuels and vehicle tech.
- State and federal enforcers: The Federal Trade Commission would lead the focused study and may coordinate with State attorneys general to gather evidence and analysis.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
FTC study of gas and oil prices
This bill would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to use its section 6(b) authority to study oil and gas market conduct. The FTC would work with State attorneys general as appropriate. The study would look for anti-competitive or collusive actions and examine the actual prices consumers pay. It would analyze whether companies use money in ways that do not increase fuel supply, such as reducing production investment or doing stock buybacks, and whether that conduct would inflate costs, delay fuel supply, affect investment in new supply, or limit access to alternative fuels or vehicle technology. The FTC would report findings and recommendations to specified congressional committees not later than 1 year after enactment and again annually for the next two years. The bill would authorize $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028, exempt the study's information collection from the Paperwork Reduction Act, and allow the FTC to hire up to 50 additional staff to carry out the work.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 4/21/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov