1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to consumer protection; prohibiting unconscionable pricing during 
1.3 	emergencies;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325E.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [325E.80] PROPANE PRICE GOUGING PROHIBITED.
1.6 		Subdivision 1.Pricing in emergency. Following declaration of a peacetime 
1.7 	emergency under section 12.31 or an energy supply emergency under section 216C.15 
1.8 	that was declared, at least in part, to address a significant increase in propane prices, no 
1.9 	wholesaler or retailer may increase the price of propane by an unconscionable amount.
1.10 		Subd. 2.Unconscionable pricing. For purposes of subdivision 1, a price adjustment 
1.11 	during an emergency can be shown to be unconscionable by evidence that the amount 
1.12 	charged for propane is not reasonably proportional to the change in wholesale propane 
1.13 	costs. A wholesaler or retailer is not in violation of this section if the wholesaler or retailer 
1.14 	can prove that the emergency conditions directly caused the rise in wholesale or retail costs.
1.15 		Subd. 3.Enforcement. The attorney general shall investigate all alleged violations 
1.16 	of this section in a manner consistent with section 8.31.

1.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2014.