HB 5463 Summary

• Repeal existing price gouging statute and replace with new language defining "unconscionably excessive price" as gross disparity between pre-disaster and during-disaster prices that is not attributable to seller's additional costs.

• Grant Attorney General exclusive authority to enforce price gouging violations during Governor-declared disasters, transportation emergencies, or Presidential emergency declarations in Connecticut.

• Classify price gouging violations as unfair or deceptive trade practices under section 42-110b, with enforcement actions brought in Hartford judicial district.

• Amend section 51-164n to remove price gouging violations from the list of offenses subject to payment and hearing procedures under that section.

• Modify Freedom of Information Act disclosure requirements to limit withholding of investigation records to period until investigation closure, rather than 18 months from complaint filing.