Law Against Price Gouging Still in Effect as State of Emergency Continues

Law Against Price Gouging Still in Effect as State of Emergency Continues

With the approach of Hurricane Rita raising concerns about gas prices, Governor Bob Riley today announced that Alabama continues to be under a state of emergency declared on August 28 and, as a result, Alabama's law against price gouging is still in effect.

Governor Riley declared the state of emergency as Hurricane Katrina approached the Gulf Coast last month. That emergency declaration enables the Governor to invoke various emergency preparedness measures, including Alabama's price gouging law.

"With another hurricane in the Gulf approaching land, there's renewed concern about gas prices going even higher than they are today. I want to remind Alabamians that our law against price gouging is still in effect because our state of emergency continues," Governor Riley said.

Alabama Attorney General Troy King has investigators working on price gouging complaints, and he is encouraging citizens who believe they are victims of price gouging to call toll-free 1-800-392-5658.

"As yet another storm moves through the Gulf of Mexico, the citizens of the gulf coast grow weary of the bracing for and rebuilding from each successive storm. We do not and will not, however, grow weary in our vigilance for -- or investigation and prosecution of -- those who would attempt to illegally profiteer from the destruction," said Attorney General King. "Today we remind all who conduct business in our state that the price gouging laws remain in effect. Anyone who gouges the price of any commodity, including gasoline, does so at their peril."

The state law that prohibits "unconscionable pricing" of items for sale or rent goes into effect when the Governor has declared a state of emergency.

http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2005-09-22-01-gouging.asp