A price gouging alert has been issued for Trinity and Butte Counties. Since the declaration of states of emergency in those counties, price gouging laws are in effect. That means it’s illegal to raise the price of food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials or gasoline by more than 10% compared to the price prior to the emergency declaration. The price gouging prohibition also applies to services such as repair, reconstruction, cleanup, transportation, freight, storage, hotels and housing. Exceptions to the law apply only in the case of an increase in costs to the businesses involved. Violators of the price gouging law can be jailed for a year and fined up to $10,000. Civil enforcement can bring up to $5,000 per violation. Price gouging can be reported to the county sheriff’s office or directly to the state attorney general’s office at doj.ca.gov or 800-952-5225.