SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House approved legislation to ban price gouging during a declared emergency. Under the bill, Minnesota would join 36 other states with similar laws preventing unconscionable price gouging during times of emergency such as a pandemic or natural disaster.
Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) voted for the bill.
“Unscrupulous, bad actors taking advantage of people in a time of crisis – as we saw all too frequently during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – is unacceptable,” Rep. Olson said. “Price gouging is morally repugnant, and this legislation will help hold people accountable when they try to exploit Minnesotans by charging outrageous prices.”
The legislation codifies an anti-price gouging executive order Governor Tim Walz issued during the COVID-19 pandemic into law. It prohibits selling any essential consumer goods or services at “unconscionably excessive prices” during a declared emergency by the governor.
During the COVID-19 peacetime emergency, the Office of the Attorney General received and investigated over 2,400 complaints. Under the bill, the OAG would have the authority to investigate any alleged violations and take appropriate actions with civil penalties as high as $1,000 per sale or transaction up to $25,000 per day.
The legislation is currently moving through the committee process in the Minnesota Senate.