LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel says Gov. Mike Beebe's declaration of a state of emergency because of winter storms crossing the state has triggered state laws intended to protect consumers during an emergency.
McDaniel says Thursday's declaration triggers a state law that prohibits businesses from raising prices more than 10 percent, with certain exceptions. Businesses may exceed the 10-percent cap if they can establish that the higher price is directly related to added expenses such as costs imposed by a supplier or because of higher labor and materials costs.
Otherwise — businesses may not raise prices by more than 10 percent for 30 days after the state of emergency declaration.
The 10-percent cap on price increases applies items such as food and water, batteries, fuel and construction materials.
