This bill would make it illegal for companies to sell goods or services at "grossly excessive prices," particularly during emergencies or market disruptions. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce this new rule and could sue companies for violations, imposing civil penalties of up to 5 percent of a company's annual revenue. Small businesses with parent companies earning less than $100 million annually would be exempt if they can show price increases were due to costs beyond their control. During exceptional market disruptions like natural disasters or public health emergencies, companies with over $1 billion in revenue or significant market power would face stricter standards and presumed violations if prices exceed pre-disruption averages. The bill also requires large publicly traded companies to disclose detailed pricing information in SEC filings during quarters affected by market shocks, explaining how much of their revenue increases came from volume versus price increases. The Federal Trade Commission would receive $1 billion in funding through 2032 to implement and enforce these provisions, with implementation guidance due within 180 days of enactment.
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