Albany, N.Y.--The New York State Senate has given final legislative approval to legislation sponsored by State Senator George Winner (R-C-I, Elmira) to allow New York’s self-owned service station operators to buy and sell unbranded, less expensive motor fuel to their customers.

"New York government has few avenues of influence over the price of a gallon of gas, but we can take actions like this one to increase marketplace competition and bring down prices at the pump," said Winner. "We have to consider every avenue of relief from today’s rising prices, and this action is meaningful."

The legislation (S.6151/A.9073), which has also been approved by the state Assembly, now goes to Governor David Paterson to be signed into law.

If enacted, it’s expected to encourage competition and could lower the cost of a gallon of gas for consumers by upwards of 10 cents in some instances.

Most motor fuel retailers are bound by franchise contracts to operate under a single brand name and sell only the fuel products associated with that brand. Distributors are similarly prohibited by contracts with refiners from selling unbranded fuels to franchised dealers.

Winner’s legislation would do away with these contractual restrictions on future contracts and permit service station owners to accept unbranded gas from other vendors if their chief suppliers do not offer the same alternative.

Winner has also joined his colleagues in the Senate Republican Majority to formally call for a suspension of the state's gas taxes, which currently amount to nearly 33 cents a gallon.