Overcharging

(a) Except as provided in subsection (a-1) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to charge more than that person's normal retail price for any goods or services sold during an emergency resulting from a natural disaster declared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, or during a public emergency declared pursuant to § 7-2304. (a-1) A person may charge more than the normal retail price for any goods or services sold during an emergency resulting from a natural disaster declared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, or during a public emergency declared pursuant to § 7-2304, if: (1) The price increase is directly attributable to additional costs imposed on the person by the supplier of goods; or (2) The price increase is directly attributable to additional costs for labor or materials used to provide the service or produce the goods. (b)(1) Within 48 hours of a natural disaster, the Mayor may declare, for not more than 30 calendar days, a state of emergency for the purposes of this chapter. The Mayor shall prepare an emergency declaration that shall include a description of the existence, nature, extent, and duration of the emergency. (2) Upon the issuance of a declaration of an emergency or as soon as practicable given the nature of the emergency, the Mayor shall publish a copy of the emergency declaration in the District of Columbia Register and in 2 daily newspapers of general circulation.