59.1-529.1 - Emergency orders; penalties.

§ 59.1-529.1. Emergency orders; penalties.

A. Upon finding that during a time of disaster a supplier is selling,leasing, or licensing, or offering to sell, lease, or license, a necessarygood or service within the area for which the state of emergency is declaredat such an unconscionable price that such selling, leasing, or licensing, oroffering to sell, lease, or license presents an imminent and substantialdanger of endangering the public welfare by creating public panic, theGovernor is authorized to issue for a period not to exceed 30 days, withouthearing, an emergency order directing the supplier to reduce the price of thenecessary good or service to the prevailing price in the local market. Theconfidentiality of all evidence, testimony, documents, or other results ofinvestigations leading to issuance of the emergency order, including thenames of the complainant and the person that is the subject of theinvestigation, shall be maintained.

B. The supplier to whom such emergency order is issued shall be notified bycertified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the last known address ofthe supplier, and by personal delivery by an agent of the Governor.

C. If the supplier who has been issued such an emergency order is notcomplying with the terms thereof, the Governor shall notify the AttorneyGeneral, who shall immediately investigate as provided for under this chapter.

(2006, c. 451.)