SB62 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Sam GivhanSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Related to the Alabama Unconscionable Pricing Act; to amend Sections 8-31-3 and 8-31-4, Code of Alabama 1975 to authorize the Governor or the Legislature to specify the affected areas and time periods to which the prohibition against imposition of unconscionable pricing would apply.
Summary: The bill lets Alabama’s Governor or Legislature tailor the price controls during a state of emergency to specific areas and time periods.
What This Bill Does
It amends the unconscionable pricing rules so that the prohibition can apply only to areas and time frames named in the proclamation or joint resolution. It keeps a price-concern rule that a price is unconscionable if it’s more than 25% higher than the area’s average price in the 30 days before the emergency, unless the higher price is due to reasonable costs. It defines what counts as an 'affected area' and sets when the changes take effect.

Who It Affects
Consumers in areas designated as affected during a state of emergency, who would be protected from unconscionable pricing only within those areas and times.
Sellers of commodities or rental facilities in the affected areas, whose pricing during the emergency would be measured against the specified areas and time periods and the 25% rule.

Key Provisions
Authorizes the Governor or the Legislature to specify affected areas and time periods for the pricing prohibition within proclamations or joint resolutions.
Prohibits unconscionable pricing only in the areas and time periods identified in the proclamation or joint resolution.
Defines unconscionable pricing as charging more than 25% above the area’s average price for the same item in the 30 days before the emergency, unless the higher price is due to reasonable costs.
Defines 'affected area' as the areas named in the proclamation or joint resolution.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after the bill is enacted.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.