At the beginning of this pandemic, we reported on the growing number of price-gouging cases in the United States due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Back in March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aimed to prevent price gouging and hoarding of crucial medical and health supplies needed to fight COVID-19. The executive order invoked the Defense Production Act and for certain items designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators, only made it a misdemeanor for individuals and companies to accumulate these items either (1) in excess of reasonable needs or (2) for the purpose of selling them in excess of prevailing market prices.  

While the executive provided some level of authority to government enforcers to prosecute cases at the federal level, the bulk of price-gouging laws exist at the state level. Approximately 38 states and the District of Columbia have price-gouging laws, and there is additional legislation pending in several other states in reaction to COVID-19. Senate Bill 6699 was introduced in Washington state March 6. It would prohibit selling most consumer goods and medical supplies at prices of more than 10% greater than the price charged immediately prior to an emergency proclamation. The Ohio attorney general announced that he was working with Ohio lawmakers on a price-gouging law. 

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