(1) It is unlawful for any person engaged in commerce in this state:
(a) To sell for resale any grade of motor fuel at a price lower than the price at which the seller contemporaneously sells motor fuel of like grade and quality to another person on the same level of distribution, in the same class of trade, and within the same relevant geographic market as the purchaser; or
(b) To knowingly receive for resale any grade of motor fuel at a price lower than the price at which the seller from which the motor fuel is purchased or received contemporaneously sells motor fuel of like grade and quality to another person on the same level of distribution, in the same class of trade, and within the same relevant geographic market as the purchaser;
where the effect is to injure competition.
(2) A sale of motor fuel of like grade and quality at different prices to persons at the same level of distribution is not a violation of this section if the difference in price is due to a difference in the cost of sale or delivery resulting from differing methods or quantities in which the grade of motor fuel is sold or delivered.
(3) Subject to the limitations of s. 526.304(3), a sale made in good faith to meet an equally low price of a competitor selling motor fuel of like grade which can be used in the same motor vehicle is not a violation of this section.
(4) It is unlawful for a refiner to sell any grade of motor fuel to a wholesaler under written contract at a price, after adding federal, state, and local taxes and inspection fees, which is higher than the net price, after deducting all allowances, rebates, and discounts, at which the refiner contemporaneously sells motor fuel of like grade and quality to a dealer in competition with any retail outlet supplied by such wholesaler, where the effect is to injure competition; except to the extent that the difference in price is attributable to a rebate, rent subsidy, or other concession which is offered to the wholesaler on proportionately equal or comparable terms.
(5) An isolated, inadvertent incident involving the activity prohibited pursuant to subsection (1) or subsection (4) shall not be a violation of this act.
History.—s. 5, ch. 85-74; s. 70, ch. 87-225; s. 3, ch. 91-247.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations
Chapter 526 - Sale of Liquid Fuels; Brake Fluid
Part I - Sale of Liquid Fuels (Ss. 526.01-526.313)
526.015 - Lubricating oil standards and labeling requirements.
526.02 - Proper trade name or mark to appear upon container or distributing device.
526.03 - Imitating trade names or equipment under which liquid fuel is marketed; prohibition.
526.04 - Sale of liquid fuel under trademark of another; prohibition.
526.05 - Mixing, blending, or compounding liquid fuels of different manufacturers prohibited.
526.07 - Assisting another in illegal storage or other violation of chapter prohibited.
526.08 - Participation of director, officer, agent, employee, or member in violations.
526.09 - Department to enforce law; rules.
526.10 - Department of Legal Affairs and state attorneys to assist in enforcing law.
526.11 - Penalty for violations.
526.111 - Prohibited display of gasoline prices; penalty.
526.121 - Pricing restrictions; separation of gasolines.
526.131 - Injunction against violations.
526.141 - Self-service gasoline stations; attendants; regulations.
526.142 - Air and vacuum devices.
526.143 - Alternate generated power capacity for motor fuel dispensing facilities.
526.144 - Florida Disaster Motor Fuel Supplier Program.
526.302 - Legislative findings and intent.
526.304 - Predatory practices unlawful; exceptions.
526.305 - Discriminatory practices unlawful; exceptions.
526.306 - Discriminatory allocations unlawful.
526.307 - Unfair practices unlawful.
526.308 - Certain rebates unlawful.
526.311 - Enforcement; civil penalties; injunctive relief.