SB 493: Unlawful business practices: price gouging.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Under existing law, upon the proclamation of a state of emergency by the President of the United States or the Governor, or upon the declaration of a local emergency by the governing authority of any county, city, or city and county, and for 30 days or 180 days, as specified, following the proclamation or declaration of emergency and any period the proclamation or declaration is extended by the applicable authority, it is a misdemeanor for any person, business, or other entity to sell or offer to sell specified goods and services for a price of more than 10% greater than the price charged by that entity for those goods or services immediately prior to the proclamation or declaration of emergency or prior to a date set in the proclamation or declaration. Existing law also makes related protections against eviction. Existing law defines “state of emergency” for these purposes as a natural or manmade emergency resulting from an earthquake, flood, fire, riot, storm, drought, plant or animal infestation or disease, pandemic or epidemic disease outbreak, or other natural or manmade disaster for which a state of emergency has been declared by the President of the United States or the Governor.

This bill would additionally include war, as defined, to the above-described disasters for purposes of the definition of a “state of emergency” for essential consumer goods or services and upon the proclamation or declaration by the President of the United States or the Governor and for which the Attorney General has issued a written opinion finding a sufficient nexus between the war at issue and increases in the prices of those goods or services. By expanding the application of an existing crime to additional circumstances, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 396 of the Penal Code proposed by SB 1365 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1365 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 30, 2026Ordered to inactive file on request of Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry.
2. August 21, 2026Ordered to third reading.
3. August 21, 2026Read third time and amended.
4. August 21, 2026Assembly Rule 69(b)(1) suspended. (Ayes 55. Noes 17. Page 6296.)
5. August 17, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
6. August 13, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
7. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (August 13).
8. August 13, 2026Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
9. August 5, 2026August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
10. July 2, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
11. July 1, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (June 30).
12. June 18, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.