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NY S00115

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/5/2011

Primary Sponsor

Ruben Diaz

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2009-2010 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Prohibits any party in the distribution chain from selling kosher for Passover products at unconscionably excessive prices during the Passover season.

  • Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Markets to investigate price gouging and conduct annual Passover price surveys examining prices before, during, and after the Passover season.

  • Allows the Attorney General to seek court orders enjoining price gouging violations and permits courts to impose civil penalties up to $10,000 and order restitution to affected consumers.

  • Establishes prima facie evidence of violation when prices show gross disparity compared to pre-Passover prices or when prices exceed similar products available elsewhere in the trade area; permits defendants to rebut with evidence of uncontrollable cost increases.

  • Requires the Commissioner to establish rules and regulations including a consumer hotline for reporting price complaints; takes effect 60 days after becoming law.

Legislative Description

Prohibits price gouging on kosher for Passover products; authorizes the department of agriculture and markets to investigate instances of price gouging on such products and to conduct an annual Passover price survey to determine instances of price gouging; authorizes the attorney general to bring an action to stop the alleged price gouging and provides for a civil penalty of $10,000 for an instance of price gouging; establishes a defense to the charge.

Last Action

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE

1/5/2011

Committee Referrals

Agriculture1/5/2011

Full Bill Text

No bill text available