Bill > AB380

This bill expands California's price gouging protections during states of emergency by modifying existing laws to provide broader consumer safeguards. Specifically, the bill extends the time period for price gouging restrictions from 30 or 180 days to either 180 or 365 days, depending on the type of goods or services. For businesses and entities that are not individual persons, the bill increases the potential fine for price gouging from $10,000 to $25,000. The bill also significantly expands the definition of "housing" to include rental properties of any lease length, removes previous exemptions for rental price increases due to repair costs, and makes price gouging restrictions applicable to commercial real property in addition to residential housing. The legislation aims to protect consumers from excessive price increases during emergencies such as natural disasters, pandemics, or other declared states of emergency by preventing merchants from taking unfair advantage of vulnerable populations. The bill is designed to be liberally interpreted to serve its purpose of protecting citizens from unjustified price increases for essential goods and services during times of crisis.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB380