Price gouging.

Assembly Members Mark González and Gipson have put forward legislation extending California's price gouging protections during declared emergencies, doubling the duration of restrictions from 30 to 60 days and expanding oversight of rental properties. The bill modifies penalties for violations, establishing a $25,000 fine for businesses and other non-individual entities while maintaining existing $10,000 fines for individuals.

The legislation broadens the definition of regulated rental housing to include properties regardless of lease duration and adds commercial real estate to price control provisions. Under the expanded rules, both residential and commercial landlords face restrictions on rental increases above 10% during emergency periods, with limited exceptions for documented cost increases or pre-existing contracts. The bill maintains existing protections against evictions aimed at circumventing these price controls.

Local governments retain authority to extend these emergency pricing restrictions in 30-day increments as needed, though the bill provides no state reimbursement for associated enforcement costs. The Office of Emergency Services must publish information about these restrictions online when the Governor declares an emergency, including specific guidance for property owners regarding allowable rental price adjustments.