D.C. Code § 28-4101: Definitions.

(a)

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1)

"Goods and services" shall include:

(A)

Consumer goods and services used, bought, or rendered primarily for personal, family, or household purposes;

(B)

Essential medical supplies and services used for the care, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any illnesses or diseases; and

(C)

Any other essential goods and services used to promote the health or welfare of the public.

(2)

"Natural disaster" means the actual or imminent consequence of any disaster, catastrophe, or emergency, including fire (other than a fire caused by human error or arson), flood, earthquake, storm, or other serious act of nature, which threatens the health, safety, or welfare of persons or causes widespread damage to property in the District of Columbia.

(3)

(A)

"Normal retail price" means not more than 10% more than the price at which the same or similar goods and services were sold in the District of Columbia during the 90-day period that immediately preceded a natural disaster, if an emergency is declared pursuant to § 28-4102(b), or the circumstances giving rise to a public emergency, if a public emergency is declared pursuant to § 7-2304.

(B)

Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, for calendar year 2027 and thereafter, "normal retail price" means:

(i)

For a rental vehicle, not more than 10% more than the price at which a person charged for the same or a similar rental vehicle during the same week of the same months of the prior year. For purposes of this sub-subparagraph, the term "rental vehicle" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 50-1505.01(8); and

(ii)

For a hotel room in a hotel that is at least 95% occupied, not more than 10% more than the price at which a person charged for the same or a similar room during the same week of the same month of the most recent year for which there was an average hotel room occupancy of 95%. For purposes of this sub-subparagraph, the term "hotel room" means any room or suite of rooms at a facility affording sleeping accommodations to transient guests.

(C)

Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph, if a person did not sell goods and services in the District of Columbia during the 90-day period that preceded a natural disaster, if an emergency is declared pursuant to § 28-4102(b), or the circumstances giving rise to a public emergency, if a public emergency is declared pursuant to § 7-2304, that person may not charge a price that is more than 50 percent greater than the actual price the person paid to the manufacturer or distributor for the good or service.

(4)

"Person" means a corporation, firm, agency, company, association, organization, partnership, society, joint stock company, or an individual.

(5)

"Public emergency" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 7-2301(3).