Stop Disaster Price Gouging Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 2427 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2427 To prohibit price gouging as an unfair and deceptive act or practice during a major disaster or emergency, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 27, 2025 Ms. Friedman (for herself and Mr. Sherman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To prohibit price gouging as an unfair and deceptive act or practice during a major disaster or emergency, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Disaster Price Gouging Act''. SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON PRICE GOUGING. (a) Prohibition.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), during the period described below after the date on which the President declares a major disaster or emergency under section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191) and within the area in which the disaster or emergency is declared a person-- (A) may not increase the price as of the day before such date by more than 10 percent-- (i) with respect to essential consumer goods and services, hotel lodging, and residential rental properties, for a period of 30 days; and (ii) with respect to repair or reconstruction services, for a period of 180 days; and (B) may not charge a price for essential consumer goods and services, hotel lodging, residential rental property, or reconstruction services that is more than 50 percent greater than the cost to the person for 30 days after such date if the person did not charge that price before such date. (2) Exception.--The