6/18/04-Legislation enacted into law prohibits profiteering during a declared state of emergency.
It became law June 11 without Gov. Donald Carcieri’s signature.
The new law, previously H7504, bans any person or corporation from raising the price of any item during or immediately before a state of emergency declared by the state or federal government.
It is intended to protect consumers from excessively inflated prices, known as “price gouging.”
Under the new law, violators could face fines up to $100. The legislation, however, allows for fluctuations in price that occur during the normal course of business.