Sponsored by:
Senator STEVEN V. OROHO
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Concerns excessive price increases during state of emergency.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning excessive price increases during a state of emergency, and amending P.L.2001, c.297.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 3 of P.L.2001, c.297 (C.56:8-109) is amended to read as follows:
3. It shall be an unlawful practice for any person to sell or offer to sell during a state of emergency or [within 30 days of the termination] for 10 days following the declaration of a state of emergency, unless extended by the Governor for periods of time up to 10 days in duration, in the area for which the state of emergency has been declared, any merchandise which is consumed or used as a direct result of an emergency or which is consumed or used to preserve, protect, or sustain the life, health, safety or comfort of persons or their property for a price that constitutes an excessive price increase.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.297, s.3)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill amends existing statutory language regarding price-gouging during a state of emergency by specifying that the period during which excessive price increases are prohibited will be in 10 day intervals following the declaration of a state of emergency.
Current law prohibits excessive price increases during a state of emergency or within 30 days of the termination of that state of emergency in the area for which the state of emergency has been declared. This bill stipulates that excessive price increases will be prohibited during a state of emergency or 10 days following the declaration of a state of emergency, unless the Governor extends the prohibition for periods of time up to 10 days in duration.