Connecticut Tries Again to Curb Post-Storm Price Gouging

Some members of the Connecticut Senate hope the third time will be the charm and the General Assembly will pass legislation extending a ban on severe weather price gouging to include services such as snow removal.

It passed the Senate Wednesday on a 31-5 vote and awaits action in the House of Representatives.

The current 27-year-old law prohibits anyone from increasing the retail price of any goods when the governor or president issues a disaster or emergency declaration.

Some questioned the need for the bill. But Wethersfield Sen. Paul Doyle said it’s necessary because state lawmakers have received complaints of constituents being taken advantage of during the state’s recent spate of storms.

Similar bills passed the Senate over the past two years but died on the House calendar.