The Chamber of Deputies approved on Wednesday (20) Government Bill 1625/26, which criminalizes abusive fuel price increases. The substitute bill by rapporteur Deputy Merlong Solano (PT-PI) establishes detention of 2 to 4 years and fines for those who increase prices "artificially and without just cause" to obtain undue economic advantage. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"De autoria do governo, o texto foi aprovado na forma de um substitutivo do relator, deputado Merlong Solano (PT-PI), e estipula pena de detenção de 2 a 4 anos e multa para quem aumentar, de forma artificial e sem justa causa, o preço dos combustíveis"
The approved text considers increases "without just cause" when dissociated from verifiable economic fundamentals such as production, distribution, import, logistics and taxation costs. Criminalization also requires conduct to be considered anti-competitive under Competition Defense Law. The Public Ministry must establish cooperation agreements with the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) to share technical subsidies in investigating crimes. ◦
Press quotes (1)
"O projeto considera sem justa causa o aumento que esteja dissociado de fundamentos econômicos verificáveis, especialmente de custos de produção, distribuição, importação, reposição, comercialização, logísticos, tributários e regulatórios"
The proposal now goes to Senate analysis. Approval comes as the National Petroleum Agency (ANP) intensifies inspections — in the first week after Provisional Measure 1.340, ANP fined 11 companies for indications of abusive pricing, inspecting 154 establishments in over 50 cities.
Press quotes (1)
"A pena, que poderá variar de 2 a 4 anos e multa, poderá ser aumentada de um terço até a metade se a conduta: ocorrer em contexto de calamidade pública ou crise de abastecimento; for praticada por agente econômico que detenha posição dominante no mercado"
Approved project establishes penalty of 2 to 4 years detention and fine
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
Details on technical cooperation between MP and Cade for crime investigation
Conflicting versions (1)
Maximum penalty established by the project
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What is the estimated fiscal impact of the project and methodology applied by CONOF?
Why it's still unknown: Sources did not present CONOF technical opinions on fiscal impact or methodology applied to estimate costs of the new criminal classification
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Are there STF precedents on criminalization of pricing practices that could guide the law's constitutionality?
Why it's still unknown: No source consulted Supreme Court precedents on constitutional limits of economic criminal law applied to pricing
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How will the concept of 'just cause' for price increases be legally defined?
Why it's still unknown: Although the text lists verifiable economic factors, sources do not clarify how courts will apply the 'just cause' test in practice
Did not cover: Carta Capital Cnn Brasil G1 O Globo Poder360