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What it is

Measures to lower prices and open up the gas and fuel market

BOE step 7 of 7 · Passed

It is a royal decree-law. It was introduced on 1 October 1999. Introduced by: Gobierno.

Official title: Royal Decree-Law 15/1999, of October 1, approving measures for liberalization, structural reform, and increased competition in the hydrocarbons sector.

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Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 130/000077· updated 11 Nov

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

  1. Selling bottled LPG in stores and gas stations is now allowed: they can store up to 500 kilograms of containers of up to 15 kilograms each, and individuals may carry a maximum of two full containers in their car, upright and secured. Parking vehicles carrying LPG containers in underground parking lots is banned.
  2. A maximum price of 83.4 pesetas per kilogram, before taxes, is set for containers of 8 kilograms or more, including home delivery. That price lasts twelve months, and stores and gas stations must apply a minimum 5% discount.
  3. Bottled LPG gets a reduced VAT rate and no longer pays the Special Hydrocarbons Tax when it is not used as fuel.
  4. To boost competition at gas stations: state highways must have signs showing prices and distances to service stations; in tenders for service areas, bidders not requiring exclusive supply from one operator are favored; several independent gas stations may be licensed in the same service area; and the Government will set criteria to guarantee a minimum number of fuel supply facilities in each area.

Who it affects

  • Consumers of bottled gas: A maximum price including home delivery is set for them, and they can also buy bottles at cheaper stores and gas stations.
  • Stores and gas stations: They can store and sell bottled LPG with a minimum 5% discount.
  • Natural gas trading companies: They can request a provisional authorization from the Dirección General de la Energía until the implementing regulations exist.
  • Highway concession holders and gas station operators: They must install and maintain information signs with prices and distances, and keep them up to date.
  • Municipalities and Autonomous Communities: They must adapt their land use plans to meet the minimum criteria for gas stations.

Words worth knowing

Gases licuados del petróleo (LPG)
Gas kept under pressure as a liquid in bottles, such as butane or propane.
IVA
Value Added Tax (VAT), the tax paid on most purchases in Spain.
Impuesto Especial de Hidrocarburos
Special Hydrocarbons Tax, a tax on fuels and other petroleum products.
Área de servicio
Service area: a zone next to a highway with a gas station and other traveler services.
Real Decreto-ley
Royal Decree-Law: a rule with the force of law that the Government can pass urgently, without prior approval by Congress.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries

Where it stands

How far did it get?

It took 7 of 7 steps. It reached BOE, and today it is passed.

  1. Introduced1 October 1999Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
  2. Admitted5 October 1999The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
  3. Amendmentsno dateGroups propose changes.
  4. Committeeno dateA committee goes through the text in detail.
  5. Plenary5 October 1999All 350 deputies vote.
  6. Senateno dateThe Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
  7. BOEno dateIt is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 4 official steps on a timeline
11. 1 October 1999: Presentación22. 5 October 1999: Calificación33. 5 October 1999: Pleno Aprobación desde 05/10/1999 hasta 21/10/199944. 21 October 1999: Concluido - (Convalidado) desde 21/10/1999 hasta 26/10/1999

Was there a plenary vote?

We have no plenary vote linked to this law in the Congreso’s data.

What happens next

What happens now?

It is law, or will be once published in the BOE. It comes into force on the date its own text sets.

Published in the BOE: Royal Decree-Law 15/1999, of October 1, approving measures for liberalization, structural reform, and increased competition in the hydrocarbons sector.

Sources

Where does all this come from?

  • The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
  • Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
  • We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.

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