Trade: business practices; excessively increased pricing for energy products and services during a market disruption; prohibit. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 1041'26, SB 1042'26

This bill, known as the Energy Pricing Protection Act, prohibits businesses from charging excessively high prices for gasoline, propane, and home heating oil during market disruptions. It defines a market disruption as events like natural disasters, strikes, or emergencies and sets a 20% price increase threshold as the limit for what is considered unjustified, unless sellers can prove higher costs or prior discounts caused the rise. The law applies to anyone selling these essential energy products but excludes utilities regulated by state or federal commissions. Enforcement is handled by state and local prosecutors, who can issue written demands for documents and testimony and file court actions against violators, with investigative details kept confidential until a formal charge is made.