RICHMOND, Va. -- A state Senate committee endorsed a bill yesterday that would lengthen the time Virginia's Anti-Price Gouging Act can apply, said the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The law was most recently put into effect on Sept. 2, 2005, after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and disrupted gasoline shipments. This month, the attorney general's office settled charges with a Fairfax County gasoline dealer who had been accused of violating the law.
The law applies while a disaster declaration is in effect or for 30 days after the [image-nocss] event that triggered the declaration, whichever is shorter, said the report. The bill, which the state Senate Commerce & Labor Committee approved by a 15 to 0 vote yesterday, would lengthen the effective period of the anti-gouging law for 30 days after a state of emergency is extended. Sponsored by State Senator John Watkins (R), the bill would also change the law to be more specific about the type of disasters that can trigger enforcement, the report said.
Michael O'Connor, president of the Virginia Petroleum, Convenience & Grocery Association, spoke in support of Senate Bill 77, saying that those who price gouge should be prosecuted.
State Sen. Richard L. Saslaw (D), a gas-station owner, noted that major oil companies, not local dealers, made record profits after the hurricanes.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.