§ 76-16-502 — Legislative findings -- Interpretation of part.

(1) (1)(a) The Legislature finds and determines that competition is fundamental to the free market system and that the unrestrained interaction of competitive forces will yield the best allocation of our economic resources, the lowest prices, the highest quality and the greatest material progress, while at the same time providing an environment conducive to the preservation of our democratic, political and social institutions.
(1)(b) The purpose of this part is to encourage free and open competition in the interest of the general welfare and economy of this state by prohibiting monopolistic and unfair trade practices, combinations and conspiracies in restraint of trade or commerce and by providing adequate penalties for the enforcement of the part's provisions.
(2) The Legislature intends that the courts, in construing this part, will be guided by interpretations given by the federal courts to comparable federal antitrust statutes and by other state courts to comparable state antitrust statutes.

Legislative History

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 173, 2025 General Session