News Release

September 13, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(916) 210-6000
agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

Attorney General Bonta Issues Consumer Alert on Price Gouging Following State of Emergency Declaration in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside Counties

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert following Governor Newsom’s declaration of a state of emergency in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties in response to the Bridge Fire and in Orange and Riverside Counties in response to the Airport Fire. The Bridge Fire has burned over 51,000 acres, and the Airport Fire over 23,000 acres, forcing the evacuation of residents and threatening homes and critical infrastructure.

In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta reminds all Californians that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396. Californians who believe they have been the victim of price gouging should report it to their local authorities or to the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report. To view a list of all price gouging restrictions currently in effect as a result of proclamations by the Governor, please see here.

“As numerous wildfires force evacuations across Southern California, I want to be very clear: California’s price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food, and other essential supplies,” said Attorney General Bonta. “If you see price gouging, please file a complaint with my office online at oag.ca.gov/report or contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.”

California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price a seller charged for an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. For items a seller only began selling after an emergency declaration, the law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds the seller's cost of the item by more than 50%. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.

Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.

Attorney General Bonta Issues Consumer Alert on Price Gouging Following State of Emergency Declaration in San Bernardino County

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert following Governor Newsom’s declaration of a state of emergency in San Bernardino County due to the Line Fire. The fast-moving Line Fire near the City of Highland has burned over 20,000 acres, forcing the evacuation of residents and threatening homes and critical infrastructure.

In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta reminds all Californians that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396. Californians who believe they have been the victim of price gouging should report it to their local authorities or to the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report. To view a list of all price gouging restrictions currently in effect as a result of proclamations by the Governor, please see here.

“As the Line Fire forces evacuations across San Bernardino County, I ask Californians to listen to communication from officials and keep safe. I also want to be clear: California’s price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food, and other essential supplies,” said Attorney General Bonta. “If you see price gouging, please file a complaint with my office online at oag.ca.gov/report or contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.” 

California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price a seller charged for an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. For items a seller only began selling after an emergency declaration, the law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds the seller's cost of the item by more than 50%. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.

Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.

Note: If you operate in the Rancho Palos Verdes area, you are now under Price Gouging rules (please see Press Release below):

News Release
September 4, 2024
For Immediate Release
(916) 210-6000
agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

Print Version

Attorney General Bonta Issues Consumer Alert on Price Gouging Following State of Emergency Declaration in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes    

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert following the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes to protect public safety amid ongoing landslides that have resulted in disrupted utility services and evacuation warnings for impacted residents. In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta reminds all Californians that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396. Californians who believe they have been the victim of price gouging should report it to their local authorities or to the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report. To view a list of all price gouging restrictions currently in effect as a result of proclamations by the Governor, please see here. 

“California’s price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food, and other essential supplies,” said Attorney General Bonta. “If you see price gouging — or if you've been the victim of it — I encourage you to immediately file a complaint with my office online at oag.ca.gov/report or contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.”

California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price a seller charged for an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. For items a seller only began selling after an emergency declaration, the law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds the seller's cost of the item by more than 50%. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.

Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.

ATTENTION: Self Storage Faclities in the Plumas, Butte, and Tehama Counties

News Release

July 27, 2024

Attorney General Bonta Issues Consumer Alert Warning Against Illegal Price Gouging Following Governor’s Emergency Declaration in Plumas, Butte, and Tehama Counties

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert following Governor Newsom’s declaration of a state of emergency in Plumas County due to the Gold Complex Fire, and in Butte and Tehama Counties due to the Park Fire. The fires have together burned more than 181,000 acres, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents, destroying homes, and threatening critical infrastructure.

In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta reminds all Californians that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396. Californians who believe they have been the victim of price gouging should report it to their local authorities or to the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report. To view a list of all price gouging restrictions currently in effect as a result of proclamations by the Governor, please see here. 

“As the Gold Complex and Park Fires force evacuations across Plumas, Butte, and Tehama Counties, I want to be very clear: Price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal. This means that businesses and landlords cannot unlawfully raise the price of essential supplies, hotels, rental housing, and more,” said Attorney General Bonta. “ I urge all Californians to listen to communication from officials, lend a helping hand where they can, and report price gouging when they see it.” 

California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price of an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. For any item a seller only began selling after an emergency declaration, the law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds the seller's cost of the item by more than 50%. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, certain transportation services, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business. 

Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute. 

For additional information, please see DOJ's FAQs on price gouging here.

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You may view the full account of this posting, including possible attachments, in the News & Alerts section of our website at: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-issues-consumer-alert-warning-against-illegal-price-0

You may view all News & Alerts on our website at: https://oag.ca.gov/news

Please visit the remainder of the Attorney General's site at: https://oag.ca.gov/

Ross Hutchings

Executive Director – California Self Storage Association

ross@californiaselfstorage.org

888.CSSA.207 (888.277.2207)

Our campaign appeared before the California Supreme Court in San Francisco this morning to oppose the governor and Legislature’s lawsuit to remove the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act from the ballot. 

The good news: History is on our side. California courts have zealously guarded voters’ right to use the initiative process, adopting a longstanding tradition of letting Californians decide initiatives at the ballot box.

Using taxpayer money to deny voters: One of our campaign co-chairs, Rob Lapsley, President of the California Business Roundtable, perfectly summed up the irony of the lawsuit in a recent LA Times article: 

·         “The fact that the Legislature and the governor are using taxpayer money to try and deny the voters of California, over 1.43 million who signed our petitions, the opportunity to have their voice heard is a direct violation of everything they talk about in terms of direct democracy. They’re complete hypocrites when it comes to this case.”

Next steps: The Court will decide the lawsuit before the June 27 deadline to finalize the November ballot. We will update you as soon as a decision is reached and we are officially on the November ballot. 

Thank you for your continued support, 

The Coalitions Team

PS- Stay Up to Date
To get the latest news on the Taxpayer Protection Act, please follow our social accounts.

Paid for by Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability, sponsored by California homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses. Committee Top Funders California Business Roundtable, California Business Properties Association, Gerald J. Marcil

Attorney General Bonta Issues Consumer Alert on Price Gouging Following State of Emergency Declaration in Southern California in Light of Powerful Winter Storm

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert following the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency for several counties in Southern California as a series of winter storms began impacting much of the state with high winds, damaging rain, and heavy snowfall. The proclamation covers Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Attorney General Bonta reminds all Californians that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396.

“As this dangerous storm hits our state, I urge Californians to stay safe, care for their neighbors, and listen to guidance from state and local officials — especially when traveling. Our State’s price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food, and other essential supplies,” said Attorney General Bonta. “If you see price gouging — or if you've been the victim of it — I encourage you to immediately file a complaint with my office online at oag.ca.gov/report or contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.”

California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price a seller charged for an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. For any item a seller only began selling after an emergency declaration, the law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds the seller's cost of the item by more than 50%. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.

Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.

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You may view the full account of this posting, including possible attachments, in the News & Alerts section of our website at: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-issues-consumer-alert-price-gouging-following-state-6