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Bill

AB 380

Price gouging.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Isaac Bryan and 14 co-sponsors

AB 380 strengthens California's price gouging protections by establishing stricter penalties and enforcement procedures for excessive price increases on essential goods during emergencies.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 380

Legislative bill overview

AB 380 addresses price gouging in California by establishing or modifying penalties and enforcement mechanisms for excessive price increases during emergencies or supply disruptions. The bill has undergone multiple amendments in committee, indicating ongoing refinement of its specific provisions and enforcement approach.

Why is this important

Price gouging legislation directly affects consumer protections during crises—such as natural disasters, pandemics, or supply chain disruptions—when prices for essential goods can spike dramatically. The bill's implementation could influence how California balances consumer protection against business concerns about profit margins and pricing flexibility during volatile periods.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition precision: What constitutes "excessive" price increases is subjective; overly broad definitions may chill legitimate pricing adjustments, while narrow ones may fail to protect consumers
  • Business impact: Retailers and suppliers may argue restrictions limit their ability to manage costs, adjust inventory, or maintain operations during genuine scarcity
  • Enforcement burden: Determining whether price increases are justified by actual cost increases requires significant regulatory resources and creates compliance complexity for businesses

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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