OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington Senate has approved a measure that would prohibit price gouging for certain goods and services during a state of emergency, like the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the bill, the attorney general’s office would have investigative and enforcement authority with penalties to $25,000 per violation.
The bill covers building materials, emergency supplies, gasoline, health care services and personal protective equipment,
The measure prohibits price increases of more than 15 percent in addition to the costs businesses incur during an emergency.
This as the rate of new first time virus infections continues its recent slower pace in Whatcom County.
For the 7-days ending Tuesday, the state health department notched 179 positives in county residents, down from 258 for the week before that, a 30% drop.