Cracking Down on Price Gouging Act

Bill: 119-hr-4720
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]
Introduced: 2025-07-23
Policy area: Energy
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-23
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4720 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 23, 2025 Mr. Riley of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services A BILL To amend the Defense Production Act of 1950 to provide for stricter prohibitions on price gouging of certain materials, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Cracking Down on Price Gouging Act . 2. Prohibition on price gouging of certain materials The Defense Production Act of 1950 ( 50 U.S.C. 4512 ) is amended— (1) in section 102— (A) by striking In and inserting the following: (a) Prohibition on hoarding and price gouging of certain materials or goods In ; (B) by inserting and price gouging after prevent hoarding ; (C) by striking accumulate (1) and inserting (1) accumulate ; (D) by striking for the purpose of resale at prices in excess of prevailing market prices and inserting sell or offer to sell at prices that grossly exceed prevailing market prices for the same or similar materials or critical goods in the trade area or at an unfairly excessive price ; (E) by striking accumulation. and inserting accumulation, or any critical good under an acute shortage. ; (F) by inserting scarce after designation of ; and (G) by adding at the end the following: (b) Unfairly excessive price (1) In general A price is an unfairly excessive price if there is a gross disparity in the price of a material or critical good at the time of the transaction and the price of the material or critical good immediately prior to— (A) the effective date of the President designating the material as a scarce material; or (B) the date on which an acute shortage of the critical good begins. (2) Gross disparity (A) Presumptive A presumptive gross disparity includes a 10 percent increase of price relative to— (i) the effective date of the President designating the material as a scarce material; or (ii) the date on which an acute shortage of the critical good begins. (B) Other price increase Nothing in this subsection shall preclude a price increase that is less than a 10 percent increase of the price of a material or critical good relative to the price on the effective date of the President designating such material as a scarce material, or the date on which an acute shortage begins, from constituting a gross disparity. (3) Exception Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), a price is not an unfairly excessive price if it is the result of— (A) a legitimate business need of the seller; or (B) additional costs outside the control of the seller. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Acute shortage The term acute shortage means any negative supply impact that is caused by— (A) a disease; (B) a pathogen; (C) a natural disaster; (D) a military conflict; (E) terrorism; (F) supply-chain disruptions; (G) extreme industry consolidation; or (H) any other similar exigent constraint. (2) Critical good The term critical good means— (A) any consumer food item, good, or service that is used, bought, or rendered primarily for personal, family, or household purposes; (B) any essential medical or emergency supply or service; (C) any energy resource, including— (i) fuel; (ii) electricity; or (iii) home heating oil; or (D) any other essential good or service used to promote the health, safety, or welfare of the public. ; and (2) in section 103— (A) by striking Any and inserting the following: (a) In general Except as described in subsection (b), any ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (b) Penalty for violation of section 102 Any person who willfully performs any act prohibited by the provisions of section 102 or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, shall, upon conviction, be fined the greater of $20,000 or 300 percent of the revenue generated in violation of such section. .