Relating to the jurisdiction of county attorneys to prosecute the deceptive trade practice of price gouging during a declared disaster.

HB 4394 would authorize county attorneys to prosecute price gouging during a declared disaster. Price gouging occurs when businesses charge excessively high prices for essential goods or services during emergencies, such as natural disasters or public health crises. This bill would directly affect county attorneys, who would gain legal authority to take action against businesses engaging in such practices, and businesses that violate these provisions. The key provision expands county attorneys' jurisdiction to handle price gouging cases during disasters, which may currently fall under state-level enforcement or lack clear local oversight.