The proposed "Energy Pricing Protection Act" aims to prohibit excessive pricing of essential energy products and services, such as gasoline, propane, and home heating oil, during periods of market disruption. The bill defines "excessively increased price" as a price that exceeds the pre-disruption price by more than 20%, unless justified by increased costs or prior discounts. It outlines the conditions under which businesses may not charge excessively increased prices and establishes the definition of "market disruption" as events like natural disasters, strikes, or emergencies that affect energy production or distribution.

The bill grants the Attorney General and local prosecuting attorneys the authority to investigate violations, issue demands for testimony and documents, and bring class action lawsuits on behalf of affected individuals. Penalties for violations include civil fines of up to $10,000 for individuals and $500,000 for entities, as well as potential imprisonment for individuals found guilty of intentionally violating the act. The remedies provided are cumulative, and the act does not limit the Attorney General's ability to enforce other consumer protection laws. The act will only take effect if certain related bills are also enacted.