# Plain Language Summary: Disaster and Emergency Pricing Abuse Prevention Act

When disasters strike—whether it's a hurricane, pandemic, or other emergency—some businesses take advantage of desperate people by charging outrageous prices for essential items. This bill makes that illegal and gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the power to crack down on it. The law targets what it calls "unconscionably excessive prices," which means prices that are drastically higher than what the same product or service normally costs before the emergency happens. For example, if bottled water usually sells for $1 per bottle but a store charges $10 during a hurricane, that would likely violate this law.

The bill covers a wide range of essential goods and services that people need during emergencies to stay safe and healthy. This includes consumer fuels like gasoline and heating oil, food, water, medicine, generators, and other items necessary for survival. The law also applies to services like repairs, transportation, and housing. Importantly, it doesn't just apply to natural disasters—it also covers pandemics and any state of emergency declared by the President or state governments.

To enforce this law, the FTC gets the same tools and authority it uses to fight other unfair business practices, including the ability to investigate complaints, issue fines, and take companies to court. The bill also requires the FTC to set up a hotline and online reporting system where people can report price gouging during emergencies. This hotline stays active for 120 days after the emergency ends, giving consumers a direct way to report suspicious pricing. The law doesn't prevent states from passing their own price gouging laws—it just sets a federal floor that applies everywhere.

Disaster and Emergency Pricing Abuse Prevention Act

Cleaver, Emanuel

Disaster and Emergency Pricing Abuse Prevention Act This bill makes it unlawful to sell, or offer for sale, an essential good or service at an unconscionably excessive price during, or in anticipation of, a natural disaster, pandemic, or state of emergency.