Posted: | February 9, 2023 12:41 PM |
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From: | Representative Zachary Mako |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Price Gouging |
In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation amending the Price Gouging Act (former HB 1577). Act 133 of 2006 prohibits sellers from charging “unconscionably excessive” prices for all consumer goods and services when a state of disaster emergency is declared by the governor. This prohibition is effective for the duration of the declaration (initially 90 days, but renewable) plus an additional 30 days after termination. This is an excessively long period compared to other state laws and has resulted in situations where pricing restrictions from a disaster declaration for a winter snowstorm remained in place until June or beyond. In fact, emergency declarations issued for winter storms in early March can remain in place and maintain price restrictions through the Fourth of July. Consequently, on January 10, 2018, Governor Wolf signed a disaster declaration to combat the Heroin and Opioid Epidemic. Although it is important to note the seriousness of this epidemic, this action by the governor was the Commonwealth’s first declaration for a non-natural disaster, but it still triggered the provisions of the Price Gouging Act, and with 13 subsequent and consecutive renewals since then, all manufacturers, distributors and retailers statewide on all consumer goods and services are subject to pricing restrictions. This situation brings into sharp focus the need to amend the law so that its restraints on commerce apply only to the extent necessary. This proposal will:
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation which is supported by the following organizations: American Petroleum Institute of PA National Federation of Independent Business Pennsylvania Builders Association Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association Pennsylvania Retailers Association |
Introduced as HB536