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HR 2129 111th Congress House Energy Civil actions and liability Consumer affairs Energy assistance for the poor and aged Energy prices Government trust funds Oil and gas War and emergency powers

Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act

Introduced: April 27, 2009 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 4, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.
Apr 28, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
Apr 28, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Apr 27, 2009
Referred to House Education and Labor
Apr 27, 2009
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 27, 2009
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
Apr 27, 2009
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act - Makes it unlawful, during a period proclaimed by the President as an energy emergency, to sell gasoline or any other petroleum distillate at a price that: (1) is unconscionably excessive; or (2) indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage of the circumstances of an emergency to increase prices unreasonably.

Authorizes the President to issue an energy emergency proclamation of up to 30 days, with renewals allowed, and to cite the geographic area, gasoline or other petroleum distillate, and time period covered.

Authorizes a proclamation to include a period of up to one week preceding a reasonably foreseeable emergency.

Exempts from this Act a sale of gasoline or other petroleum distillate transaction on a futures market.

Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to enforce this Act. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations, but limits the criminal penalty to criminal actions brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Allows a state to bring a civil action to enforce this Act or to impose civil penalties.

Requires deposit of fines and penalties collected under this Act in a separate Consumer Relief Trust Fund in the Treasury to provide assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program.

Declares that nothing in this Act preempts state law.

What's happening now June 4, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 6