This bill introduces a new chapter, RSA 358-U, which prohibits retailers from engaging in price gouging on necessary goods and services during declared states of emergency or abnormal market disruptions. The bill defines "necessities" as goods and services essential for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers, and establishes criteria for determining whether a price is unreasonably excessive. It allows governmental prosecuting authorities to enforce these prohibitions and seek civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. The bill also outlines the conditions under which price gouging is considered a violation, including the knowledge and intent to charge excessive prices during a triggering event.

Additionally, the bill empowers prosecuting authorities to bring actions on behalf of the state and provides for the possibility of attorney's fees for prevailing parties. The enforcement of this law will begin on January 1, 2027, and it is expected to increase the workload for the Department of Justice, which anticipates needing additional personnel to handle the expected rise in complaints and investigations during triggering events. The bill does not allocate funding for these new positions but estimates costs of $123,000 in FY 2028 and $230,000 in FY 2029 for the additional staff required to enforce the new regulations.