Senate Bill No. 50 Summary

• Amends the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to add price gouging prohibitions during declared state of emergency periods in emergency areas.

• Prohibits selling or renting essential commodities (supplies, services, equipment, food, water, etc.) and dwelling units or self-storage facilities at unconscionable prices during an emergency period.

• Establishes prima facie evidence of unconscionable pricing if the charged amount represents gross disparity compared to the average price during the 30 days before the emergency declaration, unless increases are attributable to additional costs or market trends.

• Exempts price increases approved by appropriate governmental agencies and sales by growers, producers, or processors of food products (except retail sales to consumers in the emergency area).

• Defines "emergency period" as the time when a state of emergency declared by the governor under specified emergency management statutes is effective.