pricing; emergency; enforcement; attorney general.

HB2301 - pricing; emergency; enforcement; attorney general.

Crime Healthcare

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Cesar Aguilar, Lorena Austin, Seth Blattman, Junelle Cavero, Brian Garcia, Aaron Márquez, Mariana Sandoval, Betty J Villegas
Last action: 2026-01-21
Official status: House second read
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Price Regulation During Emergencies

This bill makes it illegal to sell essential goods at prices that are excessively higher than before an emergency starts and sets rules for the attorney general to enforce these laws.

What This Bill Does

Defines what a 'commodity' is, which includes items like food, water, medical supplies, and more.
Makes it against the law to sell essential goods at prices that are excessively higher than before an emergency was declared during a state of emergency.
States that if someone sells these items for over $500 worth in one day during an emergency and charges too much, they can be charged with a felony crime.
Says that the attorney general is responsible for investigating and taking action against anyone who breaks these rules.

Who It Names or Affects

People who sell essential goods or services
Consumers buying essential items during emergencies

Terms To Know

Commodity: Any item that is bought and sold, like food, water, medical supplies, etc.
State of emergency: A situation declared by the government where normal rules might be changed to deal with a crisis

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone sells items for less than $500 but still charges too much during an emergency.

Bill History

2026-01-21 House
House second read
2026-01-20 House
House Rules: None
2026-01-20 House
House Commerce: None
2026-01-20 House
House first read

Official Summary Text

HB2301 - pricing; emergency; enforcement; attorney general.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2301 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
pricing; emergency; enforcement; attorney general.

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HB 2301

Introduced by

Representatives
Aguilar: Austin, Blattman, Cavero, Garcia, M�rquez, Sandoval, Villegas

AN
ACT

amending title 44, chapter 9, arizona
revised statutes, by adding article 27; relating to trade practices.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 44, chapter 9, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding article 27, to read:

ARTICLE 27. PRICE REGULATION

START_STATUTE
44-1383.

Definitions

In this article, unless the context otherwise
requires:

1. "Commodity" includes any
of the following:

(
a
) Goods.

(
b
) services.

(
c
) Materials.

(
d
) Merchandise.

(
e
) Supplies.

(
f
) Equipment.

(
g
) Resources.

(
h
) Any other
commerce-related item that includes any of the following:

(
i
) Food.

(
ii
) Water.

(
iii
) Ice.

(
iv
) Electricity.

(
v
) Building
materials.

(
vi
) Petroleum
products.

(
vii
) Medical
supplies.

(
viii
) Rent.

2. "State of emergency" has
the same meaning prescribed in section 26-301.
END_STATUTE

START_STATUTE
44-1383.01.

Commodity pricing; state of emergency; enforcement; attorney
general; violation; classification

A. During a state of emergency, it is
unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any commodity that is
necessary to preserve, protect or sustain the life, health or safety of an
individual or the individual's property at a price that is excessively higher
than the price at which the commodity was sold or offered for sale thirty days
before the state of emergency was declared.
� For the
purposes of this subsection, prices are excessively higher when prices are at
least ten percent higher than the highest price the person charged for the
commodity during the thirty-day period immediately preceding the day on
which the state of emergency was declared.

B. A person who knowingly and
wilfully violates subsection A of this section and receives a total value of at
least $500 from the sale of commodities within a twenty-four-hour
period during a state of emergency is guilty of a class 5 felony.

C. A person who knowingly and
wilfully charges excessively high prices during a state of emergency and
receives a total value of not more than $500 from the sale of commodities
within a twenty-four-hour period during a state of emergency is
guilty of a class 6 felony.

D. any violation of this article
constitutes an unlawful practice under section 44-1522.� The attorney
general may investigate and take appropriate action as prescribed by chapter
10, article 7 of this title.
END_STATUTE