CA SB1196

Expands price gouging prohibitions during states of emergency or local emergencies to include prices set to a date specified in the proclamation or declaration, not just prices charged immediately prior to the emergency.

Prohibits entities that did not charge a price before the emergency from charging more than 50% greater than their cost to the vendor for those goods or services.

Allows price increases beyond the 10% threshold if directly attributable to supplier or labor cost increases, capped at 10% above the seller's cost plus customary markup.

Extends protections to repair and reconstruction services for 180 days following a proclamation or declaration of emergency, and allows extensions of all prohibitions for additional periods with authorization for specified price increases exceeding normal limits.

Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in county jail, fines up to $10,000, or both, and constitute unfair competition under California Business and Professions Code Section 17200.