3/27/08-A bill has died that was designed to further help protect consumers in the state from being gouged at the fuel pump.
Sponsored by Sen. Randy White, D-Webster, SB30 remained in the Senate Judiciary Committee at a deadline to advance, effectively killing it for the year.
State law now prohibits sellers of goods and services that are vital and necessary for the health, safety and welfare of consumers from increasing prices more than 10 percent above their costs in the 10 days before emergency declarations. The only exceptions would be for price increases that are attributed to additional costs on sellers by suppliers of the goods or additional costs for labor or materials used to provide services.
The bill would have put in additional protections for consumers. The measure would have dropped the emergency declaration requirement for allowing the state’s Attorney General to investigate and charge sellers with price gouging.
Offenders would have faced up to $1,000 fines and/or one year in jail. The penalties are the same under existing state law.

2/6/08-A bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee is designed to further help protect consumers in the state from being gouged at the fuel pump.
State law now prohibits sellers of goods and services that are vital and necessary for the health, safety and welfare of consumers from increasing prices more than 10 percent above their costs in the 10 days before emergency declarations. The only exceptions would be for price increases that are attributed to additional costs on sellers by suppliers of the goods or additional costs for labor or materials used to provide services.
Sponsored by Sen. Randy White, D-Webster, SB30 would put in additional protections for consumers. The measure would drop the emergency declaration requirement for allowing the state’s Attorney General to investigate and charge sellers with price gouging.
Offenders would face up to $1,000 fines and/or one year in jail. The penalties are the same under existing state law.
For Senate bill status, call (304) 357-7800. In West Virginia, call 1-877-565-3447.