Price gouging: state of emergency.
- Establishes stricter penalties for price gouging during emergencies with fines up to $2,500 per violation.
- Requires housing platforms to monitor and report suspected price gouging to law enforcement.
- Expands price gouging protections to cover adjacent counties within 50 miles of emergency areas.
- Authorizes search warrants to investigate price gouging of housing and essential goods during emergencies.
Senators Umberg and Smallwood-Cuevas propose comprehensive legislation to strengthen California's price gouging protections during emergencies, expanding enforcement tools and establishing new requirements for housing platforms.
The bill creates additional civil penalties up to $2,500 for unfair competition violations against persons displaced by emergencies. It requires housing listing platforms to monitor listings, alert law enforcement to potential violations, and maintain policies prohibiting price gouging. Platforms must provide mechanisms for users to report violations and establish protocols for timely communication with authorities.
The legislation extends existing price gouging prohibitions to adjacent counties and areas within a 50-mile radius of declared emergency zones. It authorizes courts to triple penalties when violations target senior citizens, disabled persons, veterans, or displaced individuals who suffer substantial losses. The bill also adds price gouging violations to the grounds for obtaining search warrants.
For housing-related price gouging, the measure prohibits rental increases exceeding 10% during emergencies, with limited exceptions for documented cost increases. Property owners face misdemeanor charges, fines up to $10,000, and potential jail time for violations. The provisions apply to both traditional rentals and short-term listings through online platforms.
The implementation timeline phases in different components between 2024 and 2026, allowing stakeholders to adapt their practices while ensuring immediate protections during emergencies. The bill maintains existing exemptions for legitimate cost increases while focusing enforcement on exploitative pricing practices.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
 Anna CaballeroD Senator | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Roger NielloR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Benjamin AllenD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Eloise ReyesD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Scott WienerD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- Establishes stricter penalties for price gouging during emergencies with fines up to $2,500 per violation.
- Requires housing platforms to monitor and report suspected price gouging to law enforcement.
- Expands price gouging protections to cover adjacent counties within 50 miles of emergency areas.
- Authorizes search warrants to investigate price gouging of housing and essential goods during emergencies.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Senators Umberg and Smallwood-Cuevas propose comprehensive legislation to strengthen California's price gouging protections during emergencies, expanding enforcement tools and establishing new requirements for housing platforms.
The bill creates additional civil penalties up to $2,500 for unfair competition violations against persons displaced by emergencies. It requires housing listing platforms to monitor listings, alert law enforcement to potential violations, and maintain policies prohibiting price gouging. Platforms must provide mechanisms for users to report violations and establish protocols for timely communication with authorities.
The legislation extends existing price gouging prohibitions to adjacent counties and areas within a 50-mile radius of declared emergency zones. It authorizes courts to triple penalties when violations target senior citizens, disabled persons, veterans, or displaced individuals who suffer substantial losses. The bill also adds price gouging violations to the grounds for obtaining search warrants.
For housing-related price gouging, the measure prohibits rental increases exceeding 10% during emergencies, with limited exceptions for documented cost increases. Property owners face misdemeanor charges, fines up to $10,000, and potential jail time for violations. The provisions apply to both traditional rentals and short-term listings through online platforms.
The implementation timeline phases in different components between 2024 and 2026, allowing stakeholders to adapt their practices while ensuring immediate protections during emergencies. The bill maintains existing exemptions for legitimate cost increases while focusing enforcement on exploitative pricing practices.
Latest Voting History
Anna CaballeroD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Roger NielloR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Benjamin AllenD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Eloise ReyesD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Scott WienerD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted |