HF 2210

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/25/2014 01:10pm

A bill for an act
relating to consumer protection; prohibiting unconscionable pricing during
emergencies; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325E.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [325E.80] PROPANE PRICE GOUGING PROHIBITED.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Pricing in emergency. new text end

new text begin Following declaration of a peacetime
emergency under section 12.31 or an energy supply emergency under section 216C.15
that was declared, at least in part, to address a significant increase in propane prices, no
wholesaler or retailer may increase the price of propane by an unconscionable amount.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Unconscionable pricing. new text end

new text begin For purposes of subdivision 1, a price adjustment
during an emergency can be shown to be unconscionable by evidence that the amount
charged for propane is not reasonably proportional to the change in wholesale propane
costs. A wholesaler or retailer is not in violation of this section if the wholesaler or retailer
can prove that the emergency conditions directly caused the rise in wholesale or retail costs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Enforcement. new text end

new text begin The attorney general shall investigate all alleged violations
of this section in a manner consistent with section 8.31.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2014.
new text end