9/6/06-A bill that was intended to prevent price gouging by big oil companies – not just fuel stations – has died.
In the final hours of the legislative session that ended late last month, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, cancelled a final Assembly vote on his bill – AB457 – that had undergone changes in the Senate. Lockyer’s staff said that Nunez had concluded that he didn’t have enough votes to pass the bill.
California law already authorizes the attorney general to investigate allegations of price gouging at the retail level in the state during emergencies declared by the governor or president. Retailers are prohibited from boosting prices for goods and services, such as food, medicine and fuel, more than 10 percent during a 30-day period after a declared emergency.
The bill would have given the attorney general 30 days after an emergency to initiate an investigation into alleged price gouging. The entire fuel supply chain – including oil companies, refineries and fuel distributors – would have been reviewed.
Nunez’s bill originally called for giving the attorney general 60 days to initiate an investigation.
The bill sought to allow an emergency to be declared when an “abnormal market disruption,” such as a cutoff of shipments by an oil producer, increases wholesale and retail prices. The governor now can act only during such circumstances like severe weather, earthquakes and acts of war or terrorism.
Violators would have faced fines up to $10,000 and one year in jail.

8/18/06-A bill nearing passage in the Senate is intended to prevent price gouging by big oil companies – not just fuel stations.
AB457 received preliminary approval Tuesday, Aug. 8, on the Senate floor. The bill has been routed to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. If approved there, it would move back to the chamber floor for a final vote before heading to the Assembly for approval of changes. If all the requirements are met prior to the end of the regular session Aug. 31, it would go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.
California law already authorizes the attorney general to investigate allegations of price gouging at the retail level in the state during emergencies declared by the governor or president. Retailers are prohibited from boosting prices for goods and services, such as food, medicine and fuel, more than 10 percent during a 30-day period after a declared emergency.
The bill would give the attorney general 60 days after an emergency to initiate an investigation into alleged price gouging. The entire fuel supply chain – including oil companies, refineries and fuel distributors – would be reviewed.
An emergency could be declared when an “abnormal market disruption,” such as a cutoff of shipments by an oil producer, increases wholesale and retail prices. The governor now can act only during such circumstances like severe weather, earthquakes and acts of war or terrorism.
The bill also would allow the governor to declare an emergency, even if it happened elsewhere – such as a hurricane on the Gulf Coast – disrupting production.
Violators would face fines up to $10,000 and one year in jail.
For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

8/10/06-A bill nearing passage in the Senate is intended to prevent price gouging by big oil companies – not just fuel stations.
AB457 received preliminary approval Tuesday, Aug. 8, on the Senate floor. The bill has been routed to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. If approved there, it would move back to the chamber floor for a final vote before heading to the Assembly for approval of changes. If all the requirements are met prior to the end of the regular session Aug. 31, it would go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.
California law already authorizes the attorney general to investigate allegations of price gouging at the retail level in the state during emergencies declared by the governor or president. Retailers are prohibited from boosting prices for goods and services, such as food, medicine and fuel, more than 10 percent during a 30-day period after a declared emergency.
The bill would give the attorney general 60 days after an emergency to initiate an investigation into alleged price gouging. The entire fuel supply chain – including oil companies, refineries and fuel distributors – would be reviewed.
An emergency could be declared when an “abnormal market disruption,” such as a cutoff of shipments by an oil producer, increases wholesale and retail prices. The governor now can act only during such circumstances like severe weather, earthquakes and acts of war or terrorism.
The bill also would allow the governor to declare an emergency, even if it happened elsewhere – such as a hurricane on the Gulf Coast – disrupting production.
Violators would face fines up to $10,000 and one year in jail.
For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

7/26/06-A bill in the Senate Public Safety Committee is intended to prevent price gouging.
California law already authorizes the attorney general to investigate allegations of price gouging at the retail level in the state during emergencies declared by the governor or president. Retailers are prohibited from boosting prices for goods and services, such as food, medicine and fuel, more than 10 percent during a 30-day period after a declared emergency.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, AB457 was withdrawn from the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee and forwarded to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it was approved and forwarded to the Public Safety Committee. The Assembly already approved it.
The bill would give the attorney general 60 days after an emergency to initiate an investigation into alleged price gouging. The entire fuel supply chain – including oil companies, refineries and fuel distributors – would be reviewed.
An emergency could be declared when an “abnormal market disruption,” such as a cutoff of shipments by an oil producer, sends wholesale and retail prices soaring. The governor now can act only during such circumstances like severe weather, earthquakes and acts of war or terrorism.
The bill also would allow the governor to declare an emergency, even if it happened elsewhere – such as a hurricane on the Gulf Coast – disrupting production.
Violators would face fines up to $10,000 and one year in jail.
For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

6/12/06-A bill in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee is intended to prevent price gouging.
California law already authorizes the attorney general to investigate allegations of price gouging at the retail level in the state during emergencies declared by the governor or president. Retailers are prohibited from boosting prices for goods and services, such as food, medicine and fuel, more than 10 percent during a 30-day period after a declared emergency.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, AB457 would give the attorney general 60 days after an emergency to initiate an investigation into alleged price gouging. The entire fuel supply chain – including oil companies, refineries and fuel distributors – would be reviewed.
An emergency could be declared when an “abnormal market disruption,” such as a cutoff of shipments by an oil producer, sends wholesale and retail prices soaring. The governor now can act only during such circumstances like severe weather, earthquakes and acts of war or terrorism.
The bill also would allow the governor to declare an emergency, even if it happened elsewhere – such as a hurricane on the Gulf Coast – disrupting production.
Violators would face fines up to $10,000 and one year in jail.
For Assembly bill status, call (916) 319-2856.