This bill amends the Price Gouging Act of October 31, 2006, by updating definitions and clarifying the conditions under which price gouging is prohibited during a state of disaster emergency. A new definition of "Cost" is added, encompassing all expenses related to the sale of consumer goods or services, including replacement costs, credit card costs, taxes, and transportation costs. The previous definition of "unconscionably excessive" is removed, and the criteria for determining whether a price is unconscionably excessive are revised. The bill specifies that the Governor must declare the applicability of the act during a state of disaster emergency, allowing for price restrictions on necessary consumer goods and services for a period of 15 days, which can be renewed.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for investigating violations of the act by the Bureau of Consumer Protection, granting the Attorney General the authority to impose civil penalties for willful violations, with a cap of $10,000 per violation and a total of $25,000 for a 24-hour period. The bill clarifies that the civil penalty is the sole penalty for violations and does not create a private cause of action. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 2395 (Oct 01, 2025): P.L.1210, No.133