Bill > SB1042

This bill, titled the "commodities and emergency services and supplies pricing protection act," prohibits businesses from charging excessively increased prices for essential goods and services, such as building materials, consumer food items, emergency supplies, and medical supplies, during and for 30 days after a declared state of emergency. An "excessively increased price" is defined as a price increase of more than 20% unless the seller can prove the increase is due to higher costs of bringing the items to market, a prior extraordinary discount, or a markup at or below the retailer's cost. The bill grants the Attorney General the power to investigate potential violations, issue demands for information, and bring both civil actions for damages and injunctive relief, with penalties including fines of up to $500,000 for businesses and $10,000 for individuals per violation, and potential misdemeanor charges. It also allows for class-action lawsuits on behalf of affected consumers and clarifies that these remedies are in addition to those available under other laws, such as the Michigan consumer protection act.