Permanently Inhibit Gougers Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 2, 2003

Permanently Inhibit Gougers Act - Declares that it shall be unlawful for commercial vendors in areas designated as disaster areas to raise the price of products or services that are widely needed in such area by more than ten percent above the average retail price charged by that vendor during the preceding 90 days for them.

Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe implementing regulations.

Sets forth a maximum civil penalty amount.

Provides for a private right of action for violations of this Act.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Kleczka, Gerald D. [D-WI-4] · D–WI

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Etheridge, Bob [D-NC-2]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 6, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Oct 2, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Oct 2, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1967)
Oct 2, 2003
Introduced in House
Oct 2, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Oct 2, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3236 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.3236, 108th Congress: Permanently Inhibit Gougers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3236

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-10-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3236/BILLS-108hr3236ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:04:23Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3236 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3236 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.3236, 108th Congress: Permanently Inhibit Gougers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3236

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-10-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3236/BILLS-108hr3236ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:04:23Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3236 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3236 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3236, 108th Congress: Permanently Inhibit Gougers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3236

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-10-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3236/BILLS-108hr3236ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:04:23Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3236 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3236 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3236, 108th Congress: Permanently Inhibit Gougers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3236

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-10-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3236/BILLS-108hr3236ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:04:23Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3236 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.