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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>68344</law_id><section_number>59.1-527</section_number><catch_line>Prohibitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>59.1-528</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="46">Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>During any <span class="dictionary">time of disaster</span>, it shall be unlawful for any <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> to sell, lease, or license, or to offer to sell, lease, or license, any <span class="dictionary">necessary goods and services</span> at an unconscionable price within the area for which the state of emergency is declared. Actual sales at the increased price shall not be required for the increase to be considered unconscionable. In determining whether a price increase is unconscionable, the following shall be considered:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Whether the price charged by the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> grossly exceeded the price charged by the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> for the same or similar goods or services during the 10 days immediately prior to the <span class="dictionary">time of disaster</span>, provided that, with respect to any <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> who was offering a good or service at a reduced price immediately prior to the <span class="dictionary">time of disaster</span>, the price at which the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> usually offers the good or service shall be used as the benchmark for these purposes; <a id="paragraph-247292" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-527/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Whether the price charged by the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> grossly exceeded the price at which the same or similar goods or services were readily obtainable by purchasers in the trade area during the 10 days immediately prior to the <span class="dictionary">time of disaster</span>; <a id="paragraph-247293" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-527/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Whether the increase in the amount charged by the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> was attributable solely to additional costs incurred by the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> in connection with the sale of the goods or services, including additional costs imposed by the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span>&#x2019;s source. Proof that the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> incurred such additional costs during the <span class="dictionary">time of disaster</span> shall be prima facie <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that the price increase by that <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> was not unconscionable; and <a id="paragraph-247294" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-527/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Whether the increase in the amount charged by the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> was attributable solely to a regular seasonal or holiday adjustment in the price charged for the good or service. Proof that the <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> regularly increased the price for a particular good or service during portions of the period covered by the <span class="dictionary">time of disaster</span> would be prima facie <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that the price increase was not unconscionable during those periods. <a id="paragraph-247295" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-527/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2004, cc. 798, 817; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, c. 16.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
