California SB493: Unlawful business practices: price gouging.

What the bill says

An act to amend Section 396 of the Penal Code, relating to price gouging. price gouging Unlawful business practices: price gouging…

From the committee substitute text, August 21, 2026:

An act to amend Section 396 of the Penal Code, relating to price gouging. price gouging Unlawful business practices: price gouging. Under existing law, upon the proclamation of a state of emergency by the President of the United States or the Governor, or upon the declaration of a local emergency by the governing authority of any county, city, or city and county, and for 30 days or 180 days, as specified, following the proclamation or declaration of emergency and any period the proclamation or declaration is extended by the applicable authority, it is a misdemeanor for any person, business, or other entity to sell or offer to sell specified goods and services for a price of more than 10% greater than the price charged by that entity for those goods or services immediately prior to the proclamation or declaration of emergency or prior to a date set in the proclamation or declaration. Existing law also makes related protections against eviction. Existing law defines “state of emergency” for these purposes as a natural or manmade emergency resulting from an earthquake, flood, fire, riot, storm, drought, plant or animal infestation or disease, pandemic or epidemic disease outbreak, or other natural or manmade disaster for which a state of emergency has been declared by the President of the United States or the Governor. …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Josh Becker (D, SD13) · primary sponsor
• Lori Wilson (D, AD11)
• Megan Dahle (R, SD01)
• Benjamin Allen (D, SD24)
• Henry Stern (D, SD27)

Latest actions

1. August 30, 2026: Ordered to inactive file on request of Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry.
2. August 21, 2026: Ordered to third reading.
3. August 21, 2026: Read third time and amended.
4. August 21, 2026: Assembly Rule 69(b)(1) suspended.
5. August 21, 2026: Assembly Rule 69(b)(1) suspended. (Ayes 55. Noes 17. Page 6296.)
6. August 17, 2026: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. August 13, 2026: Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
8. August 13, 2026: From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (August 13).
9. August 13, 2026: Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
10. August 5, 2026: August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.

Votes

• Do pass as amended. (August 13, 2026): 11 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] (June 30, 2026): 5 yea, 2 nay, passed
• SB 493 Becker Senate Third Reading By Wilson (August 28, 2025): 75 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Do pass. (August 20, 2025): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] (July 2, 2025): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate 3rd Reading SB493 Becker et al. (May 29, 2025): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB493?

SB493 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Unlawful business practices: price gouging.

What does SB493 do?

In its own words: An act to amend Section 396 of the Penal Code, relating to price gouging. price gouging Unlawful business practices: price gouging…

What is the status of SB493?

In committee as of August 30, 2026. Latest action: Ordered to inactive file on request of Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry. (August 30, 2026).

Who sponsored SB493?

Josh Becker (D, SD13), with 4 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB493?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB493