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HR 964 112th Congress House Energy Civil actions and liability Consumer affairs Energy prices Government trust funds Oil and gas War and emergency powers

Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act

Introduced: March 9, 2011 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 14, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
Mar 9, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mar 9, 2011
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act - Makes it unlawful for any person, during a proclaimed international crisis affecting the oil market, to sell gasoline or any other petroleum distillate at a price that: (1) is unconscionably excessive; and (2) indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage of the circumstances of the crisis to increase prices unreasonably.

Authorizes the President to issue such a proclamation citing the geographic area, gasoline or other petroleum distillate, and time period (not to exceed 30 consecutive days) covered. Permits such a proclamation to be renewed as the President determines appropriate and to include a period of up to one week preceding a reasonably foreseeable emergency.

Sets forth factors to be considered in determining if a violation of this Act has occurred. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce a violation of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice and to give priority to enforcement actions concerning companies with U.S. sales over $10 billion per year. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations, but limits the criminal penalty to criminal actions brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Authorizes a state to bring a civil action to enforce this Act.

Declares that nothing in this Act preempts any state law.

What's happening now March 14, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2