Pennsylvania HB 2383: An Act amending the act of October 31, 2006 (P.L.1210, No.133), known as the Price Gouging Act, further providing for definitions; and providing for petroleum product price gouging prohibited.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3197
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2383
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BIZZARRO, SANCHEZ, GUZMAN, GUENST, PROBST, PARKER,
HILL-EVANS, GOUGHNOUR, HANBIDGE, INGLIS, KENYATTA, GALLAGHER,
CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, HADDOCK, STEELE, CIRESI AND CURRY,
APRIL 14, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, APRIL 15, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of October 31, 2006 (P.L.1210, No.133),
entitled "An act prohibiting price gouging; and imposing
penalties," further providing for definitions; and providing
for petroleum product price gouging prohibited.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "unconscionably excessive" in
section 3 of the act of October 31, 2006 (P.L.1210, No.133),
known as the Price Gouging Act, is amended and the section is
amended by adding definitions to read:
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Market emergency." An abnormal disruption of a market for
petroleum products, including an actual or threatened shortage
in the supply of petroleum products or an actual or threatened
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increase in the price of petroleum products resulting from
severe weather, convulsion of nature, supply manipulation,
failure or shortage of electric power or other source of energy,
strike, civil disorder, act of war, terrorist attack, national
or local emergency or other extraordinary adverse circumstances.
"Petroleum product." A motor fuel, liquefied petroleum gas
or fuel oil.
"Petroleum-related business." A producer, supplier,
wholesaler, distributor or retail seller of a petroleum product.
* * *
"Unconscionably excessive." A price is unconscionably
excessive when the amount charged represents a gross disparity
between the price of the consumer goods or services and the
price at which the consumer goods or services were sold or
offered for sale within the chain of distribution in the usual
course of business seven days immediately prior to the state of
disaster emergency or market emergency.
Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
Section 4.1. Petroleum product price gouging prohibited.
(a) Prohibition.--It shall be a violation of this act for a
petroleum-related business to alter the price of a petroleum
product or derivatives of a petroleum product more than once
within a 24-hour period.
(b) Market emergency.--A market emergency may be declared by
the Governor and shall continue for 30 days or until terminated
by the Governor. The Governor may extend the market emergency
for additional 30-day periods.
(c) Violation of market emergency.--It shall be an unfair
and deceptive act and practice in commerce and a violation of
this act for a petroleum-related business, during a market
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emergency declared by the Governor under subsection (b), to sell
or offer to sell a petroleum product or heating fuel product for
an amount that represents an unconscionably excessive price.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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