Ryan Bizarro.jpg Rep. Ryan Bizarro, D-Erie, is pictured during a recent committee meeting.

A state lawmaker is asking for support for legislation that would prevent gas stations from increasing prices within 24 hours of a first price hike.

State Rep. Ryan Bizarro, D-Erie, is circulating a co-sponsorship memorandum for legislation he is drafting aimed at preventing what he describes as price gouging by oil companies in the wake of the attacks on Iran. Prices nationally are $3.718 on Monday and an average of $3.703 in Pennsylvania. The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.589 on March 9 and $3.218 on March 16, 2025.

“Pennsylvanians are feeling the pinch at the pump,” Bizarro said in his co-sponsorship memorandum. “Due to quick fluctuations in the price of a barrel of oil, prices have soared. Multinational companies are capitalizing on the national debate about supply chain issues and inflation to charge outrageous prices. The sharp rise in prices when oil increases is not matched by the same urgency when costs decrease. Oil companies’ profits have grown exponentially year after year. These record profits only benefit those at the top, not Pennsylvanians pumping gas to get to work.”

More than 35 states have statutes prohibiting price gouging on essential goods like gasoline during declared emergencies. Michigan, Ohio and Nebraska have price gouging statutes that apply at all times. Bizarro’s bill is likely to mirror the latter three states.

“Multiple states have passed laws preventing price changes on the same day, stopping abusive price hikes, and targeting unfair or deceptive price gouging,” Bizarro wrote.

“Pennsylvanians should have the same protections. This legislation will prevent price increases within 24 hours of a prior increase, outlaw unconscionable increases during emergencies, and empower the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute gasoline price gouging.”

Last week, state Sen. Lisa M. Boscola, D-Bethlehem, said she is drafting legislation that would temporarily suspend Pennsylvania’s gasoline and diesel taxes for 60 days to provide relief for consumers and businesses facing rising fuel costs. Boscola said the two bills are intended to help Pennsylvania drivers and businesses cope with fuel price increases tied to instability in global oil markets.

“Pennsylvania drivers are already starting to see prices at the pump climb as global oil markets react to instability in the Middle East,” Boscola said. “At a time when families and businesses are already facing rising costs, we should use every tool available to provide some short-term relief.”

Pennsylvania motorists currently pay one of the highest fuel taxes in the nation. The state gasoline tax is 57.6 cents per gallon, while the diesel tax is approximately 74 cents per gallon. Boscola noted that while fuel taxes are an important source of funding for transportation infrastructure, the temporary suspension would be structured to ensure those commitments remain intact.

“Our legislation would temporarily suspend these taxes while authorizing bonding to replace any short-term loss to the Motor License Fund,” Boscola said. “This ensures we can provide relief at the pump without disrupting funding for State Police or critical road and bridge projects.”

The proposed 60-day suspension would provide relief for commuters while also helping businesses that rely heavily on diesel fuel, including trucking, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction industries. Boscola previously introduced similar legislation during the summer of 2022 after global energy markets were disrupted following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“When affordability becomes a challenge for Pennsylvania families and business owners, government has a responsibility to step in and look for ways to help,” Boscola said. “Providing temporary relief at the fuel pump is a practical step we can take right now.”