New Jersey Enforces Emergency Price Limits as Powerful Winter Storm Approaches
New Jersey is preparing for a winter storm with heavy snow, ice, and perilous conditions. State officials have activated emergency consumer protections to prevent unreasonable price hikes on essential products and services. A state-wide emergency will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday automatically activated New Jersey’s price gouging laws to protect the needy.
These emergency rules prohibit businesses from raising prices more than 10% above pre-emergency levels. The storm is making travel, power, and daily life difficult across the state, so the safeguards include food, gas, hotel rooms, generators, and other necessities.
The NJ Division of Consumer Affairs and Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said enforcement is underway. State officials said these limitations are aimed to prevent firms from taking advantage of increasing demand during disasters, especially because residents are already coping with rising costs and storm-related issues.
Governor Mikie Sherrill said the state won’t tolerate violations. She said her administration would not tolerate price gouging and would monitor it during the storm and recovery. The governor warned that exploiting people in emergencies will have dire consequences.
A business that violates New Jersey’s price gouging laws could be fined $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for subsequent violations. Each unauthorized high-priced sale is a crime. Firms that flout the law may be fined more.
These measures continue after the storm. State officials say the rules will last the whole emergency and 30 days afterward. This longer time range ensures safety during cleanup and rehabilitation.
The Division of Consumer Affairs advises consumers to report price gouging they notice. The name of the business, its location, the item or service, and the price are required when filing complaints. Police can act quickly and effectively against lawbreakers with accurate reporting.
In order to treat everyone equitably, Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Jeremy E. Hollander said enforcement teams are ready to act quickly on complaints. Officials reiterated that New Jersey’s consumer protection rules ensure individuals may receive what they need without being exploited during emergencies.
As the winter storm approaches, state authorities advise citizens to be vigilant, prepare, and know their consumer rights. The state has implemented pricing laws to keep people safe during catastrophic weather disasters and ensure market fairness and accountability.
Sources
New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
Office of the Governor of New Jersey
