Rhode Island § 6-13-21 - Unfair Sales Practices

§ 6-13-21. Price gouging — Essential commodities.

(a) Upon a declaration of a state of emergency by the governor, or federal disaster declaration by the president, it shall be an unfair sales practice for individuals or retailers to participate in price gouging by making sales, or offering to sell, within the area for which the market emergency is declared, essential commodities to consumers for an amount that represents an unconscionably high price.

(b) As used in this section:

(1) “Unconscionably high price” means the amount charged represents a gross disparity between the average prices at which the same or similar commodity was readily available and sold or offered for sale within the local trade area in the usual course of business during the thirty (30) days immediately before the declaration of the market emergency and the additional charges are not substantially attributable to increased cost to retailers, imposed by their suppliers, including replacement costs imposed by the vendors’ source. Additionally, the average price calculation during said thirty-day (30) period shall not include discounted prices set and offered as a result of bona fide manufacturer’s or supplier’s limited discounts or rebates.

(i) Under a federal disaster declaration by the president or upon a declaration of a state of emergency by the governor, it is unlawful and a violation of chapter 13 of title 6, and § 30-15-9(e)(12), to sell, or offer to sell, at an unconscionably high price, any essential commodity.

(2) “Price gouging” means charging a consumer an unconscionably high price for essential commodities during a declared market emergency.

(3) “Essential commodities” means any goods, services, materials, merchandise, supplies, equipment, resources, or other article of commerce, and includes, without limitation, home heating fuels, motor fuels, food, water, ice, chemicals, petroleum products, and lumber necessary for consumption or use as a direct result of the market emergency.

(4) “Market emergency” means any declaration of a state of emergency by the governor or federal disaster declaration by the president. The market emergency shall exist until the declaration expires or is terminated.

(5) “Individual” means a person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, agency, or any other legal or commercial entity.

(6) “Consumer” means an individual who enters into a transaction primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

(7) “Retailer” means and includes every individual licensed to engage in the business of making sales at retail within this state.

(c) This section shall not prohibit the fluctuation in price of essential commodities that occur during the normal course of business.

(d) Any violation of this section shall constitute an unfair sales practice under the terms of chapter 13.1 of this title.

(e) In addition to the penalties provided in chapter 13.1 of this title, and subdivision 30-15-9(e)(12), the court may impose orders and civil penalties, including, but not limited to:

(1) A fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation with an aggregate total not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for any twenty-four-hour (24) period;

(2) An order to pay costs of litigation relating to the offense;

(3) An order for disgorgement of profits earned; and

(4) Any other relief determined by the court to be appropriate.

(f) All monetary penalties so collected shall accrue to the enforcing authority to further consumer enforcement efforts.